Double success in cricket

Woy Woy Cricket Club has scored a double success in the Gosford-Wyong District Cricket Finals.

Woy Woy's fourth grade side and sixth grade sides were both premiership winners.

Both sides scored triumphant and resounding wins over the determined and resolute Kincumber Cricket Club.

The finals were played over the weekend of March 25 and 26 under fairly poor conditions on heavy, rain-affected grounds at Tacoma Oval (fourths) and Sohier Parks at Ourimbah (sixths).

With the sixth grade match, Kincumber batted the first innings on Saturday to be all out for 114 runs off 51 overs.

The Woy Woy side in a tense match narrowly defeating their opposition, scoring 120 runs with only five overs to spare and no wickets in hand.

It was a game of varying fortunes from start to finish with both sides taking the upper hand a number of times during the match.

Although all players contributed to the win, outstanding players were Chris Lee with excellent bowling figures of six wickets for 43 runs from an intense 24 over spell, and Paul Flindell who top-scored hitting 37 runs.

Bob Druitt and Chris Lee also took sensational catches for Woy Woy, changing the tide of the game.

Because the pitch was so heavy, a score of 114 was like chasing about 220 given the abysmal condition of the wicket.

The fourth grade Woy Woy side also defeated a Kincumber team after chasing only 80 runs.

Woy Woy scored 87 runs with three wickets in hand, off a rain-delayed game and also poor conditions.

David Monahan tipped the scales in Woy Woy's favour with top bowling figures of five wickets for 36 runs.

The Woy Woy club contested all six grades fielding nine teams in this year's competition. Three teams, seconds, fourths and sixths, had a shot at the title in the finals with fortuitous results for the fourth and sixth grade sides.

The second grade side who were in fact minor premiers did not follow on with the earlier success and were beaten narrowly in the minor final by an in-form Mountain side.

Winning the two premierships has been somewhat of a revelation for the Woy Woy club as it has been eight years since any senior grade team has brought home the gold medal and baggy caps for the club.

Although records are not available for the early history of the club, it is understood it is the first time the club has brought home two premiership trophies in the one year.

Club supporters were ecstatic with the results and it was definitely a fine way to start the new millennium.

The club discovered a new realm of support with the signing of the Everglades Country Club as chief sponsor.

The eight other local business sponsors were Wilsons Real Estate, Dewars Cabinets, Col Breeze Electricals, Tonkin Drysdale Partners Solicitors, Deepwater Leisure Tours, Coastwide Property Inspections, Umina Mall Cake Shop, and We're Sportswear.

The club's victories were attributed to this financial backing and the direction provided by club officials Kevin Dewar, Aidan Cuddington and Col Breeze.

The club also has strong talent emerging into the senior ranks from the junior grades with some very capable and skilful young players putting their hands up for selection. This will make the club stronger again in this next season.

Jim Martin