IF COREY Couch reflects on his decorated career at Nirranda as a retiree, sharing centuries with his son on the town’s recreation reserve is certain to top the list.
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He teamed with his 15-year-old son, Jackson, to post a stunning partnership of 237 in the Knights’ division three triumph over Port Fairy on Saturday.
Corey, an experienced top-grade campaigner, hit 112 not out while Jackson, one of the club’s many rising stars, blasted an unbeaten 125 en route to a rousing victory.
The 44-year-old, who co-captains Nirranda’s division one outfit with Jason Mungean, said he regularly suited up alongside older son Brody but had only batted with Jackson on “one or two” occasions.
“It was great on the day but reflecting on it now, it sort of seems a lot bigger,” Corey said.
“People on Facebook are just going nuts. Reflecting on it now, it’s a pretty cool achievement.
“I think I’ve made a 50 with Brody before but I’ve only had the chance to bat with Jackson once or twice and the last time, I reckon I went out on him. It was very enjoyable (to be able to bat with Jackson).”
Corey said he was buoyed by a quick start but slowed as Port Fairy tightened their bowling as the innings progressed.
He said he felt Jackson was in good touch but wanted to avoid heaping pressure at the mid-way part of the innings.
“I was about 78 when Jackson made 50 because I was a bit lucky in that they bowled to my strengths,” Corey said.
“Their bowlers figured me out a bit and tightened right up. Jackson ended up beating me to 100.
“When Jackson hit 50, I said ‘we can bat right through here’, but I didn’t want to put too much pressure on. I knew if we batted steady, with us making plenty of runs, we’d be okay.”
The victory had more significance as it lifted Nirranda atop the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association’s division three ladder.
Although the club has endured a development year in division one, Corey said the signs he’d witnessed in division three were positive.
He said the Knights were vying to return a side to the association’s division two ranks in an bid to build on its turf pitch pathway set-up through the acquisition of the pitch at the Port Campbell Recreation Reserve.
“It’d be fantastic for us if we could get promoted up there. All of our home games would then be on turf with the Port Campbell pitch,” he said.
“It’d be especially beneficial for the young lads we’ve got at the club.
“I’ve been retiring for 10 years and I’ve said I’m retiring many times, but it would be good if we went up to division two and I might end up captaining them or something down the track. “You never know.”
