CRICKET Albury-Wodonga’s dream representative season didn’t have a fairytale finish yesterday, with the team losing its only match at Country Week in the final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In devastating circumstances, CAW is left with just one trophy from three finals this season, with yesterday’s defeat to Warragul ending its chances of promotion from Division 4.
Warragul bounced back from its loss to CAW on Tuesday by bowling the favourites out for 148 to record a 24-run win at Bayswater.
Shattered CAW skipper James Tonkin said the side had taken the loss badly.
“Cricket can be a funny game,” he said.
“That was one we let slip. I guess we got outplayed.
“We are all a bit upset it’s come to an end.
“The team will probably never play together again.”
CAW’s batting, which had been its strength all week, let it down when it needed it most.
Struggling at 6-57 in its pursuit of Warragul’s 8-172, Greg Daniel (49 not out) and Sam Drury almost saved the day.
But their important 58-run partnership for the seventh wicket ended when Drury, heroically batting through injury, was caught for 34.
Tonkin said playing five games straight had taken its toll on his team.
“We were definitely disadvantaged with the scheduling,” he said.
“We didn’t have much luck and the day of rest they (Warragul) had yesterday might have made a difference.
“We just couldn’t find the boundaries.
“The run rate was ticking upwards so that made it harder.
“Warragul’s game plan was pretty effective.
“They bowled a lot of spin and bowled a lot round the wicket to a leg-side field.”
After winning the Konica-Minolta Cup and losing the SCG Country Cup and Country Week finals, Tonkin said there was plenty to be proud of.
“It’s been such a fairytale run,” he said.
“We’ve exceeded everyone’s expectations.
“It’s been a pretty unbelievable run.
“We’ve got to hold our heads up high.
“And there have been plenty of memorable moments.
“The SCG game was the absolute pinnacle but the friendships is something we’ve never felt in rep cricket before.”