Sport
13 March, 2023
Laanecoorie Dunolly take minor premiership in dramatic final day of MDCA season
It was the miracle just off Broadway for Laanecoorie Dunolly. Their 31-round unbeaten run was on the line on Saturday, having been bowled out for 106 on the first day of play against Colts Phelans, and with Colts needing just 73 runs on the second...
It was the miracle just off Broadway for Laanecoorie Dunolly.
Their 31-round unbeaten run was on the line on Saturday, having been bowled out for 106 on the first day of play against Colts Phelans, and with Colts needing just 73 runs on the second day to take not just the win, but the minor premiership, it was a true test of Laane’s credentials.
But, as good teams do, they found a way to take a remarkable victory, with an unbelievable spell from Samit Gohil ensuring Colts would lose 7/16 to be all out for 69.
We’ve been accustomed to seeing Gohil take charge with the bat this season — three 100s and two 50s suggest as much. But his individual haul of 7/13 off 16 overs, which included eight maidens, was every bit as important on Saturday. That came despite Gohil registering his lowest score with the bat this season, scoring 22 runs.
It was a point not lost on Laane captain Matt Smith.
“He’s such a great cricket mind. He thinks about the game deeply, analyses the game and the opposition, and was able to do it brilliantly on Saturday. He used the conditions to benefit his bowling by changing his lines, his length and his pace. To take seven wickets is an incredible achievement, and for all of them to either be bowled or LBW as a spinner is amazing,” he said.
Smith reflected on the achievements of Laane to pull the game out of the fire — the mark of all good teams that have come before them.
“We were certainly still optimistic that we could get the result we were hoping for. We knew that every ball would matter,” he said.
“We had to be switched on from the first ball to the last, so we focused on making sure that we started well, hit our areas early and make Colts a little uncomfortable, while we were also out to make their task as big as possible, ensuring we wouldn’t bowl loose balls on one side of the wicket, then force them into mistakes with our pressure.
“We certainly felt like they had a bit of pressure themselves, then we were lucky enough to get a run out which we felt turned the game. After that, we took 7/16 to get the win.”
Smith said that his plans to get the bowlers to hit every spot and prevent Colts from taking control of the game looked like they could be executed from their training form during the week.
“The first day was disappointing. The wicket didn’t come up the way we quite wanted it, but we toiled away and made 106. We were lucky that our tail wagged a bit, which proved quite critical in the end,” he said.
“During the week, we wanted to make sure we had a good training session on Thursday, and our bowlers were making it quite difficult for our batsmen in the nets, making them play a lot of balls. I just said to the boys that we are a good team, but this is a great challenge.
“Leading into finals, we just needed to be ruthless and play with the right intensity and we were certainly able to do that.”
Leading the charge was Gohil, but Smith also saved praise for reigning Ken Gibbs medallist Ben Gunn, who bowled 16 maidens alongside Gohil from his 22 overs, while Brady Williams and Zach Graham also earned praise for putting Colts under early pressure.
“We were hoping Brady Williams would get an early wicket, and he did, and we knew Zach Graham would bowl in a consistent area early, which he did. We had a few play-and-misses early, and he bowled well without luck. Then we turned to spin and it felt like Colts wanted to survive a bit. With Gunny and Samit, it played in our hands a little bit — we were able to bowl 20 maidens out of the 36 overs we bowled on Saturday,” Smith said.
“We knew that we would get some opportunities, which always tends to happen when the scoreboard isn’t ticking over. Colts are a great team and they’ll reflect on it, but sometimes that’s what pressure does.”
Laane now moves on to a meeting with Clunes — a team they’ve had the better of this season, winning three from three. However, Smith isn’t willing to count his chickens, noting that the Magpies are known for being a good two-day team.
“We’re wary that Clunes have a good strike bowling line-up. Ashley Gunn can take a few wickets early which can rattle a team and put you on the back foot,” he said.
“We’ve played them three times this season and the results have gone our way, but finals cricket is a different beast and it’s one of those things where you can’t win a game in half an hour, but you can lose a game in half an hour. We have to be prepared, play every ball on its merit and play out for the full 78 overs every day, and do it better than the opposition.”
The chance to reward their recruits with premiership glory also ultimately drives Smith.
“It’d be fantastic to have the chance to win another premiership now that the finals are here. We’ve been there and done it and certainly still enjoy winning them,” he said. “It’d also be something special for players like Samit, Damith Perera and Tom Hannett, who have come in this season and haven’t tasted it yet. We talked to them at the start about how we want to be a successful club and we want to give them the best chance to have the success they want with us.”
The Maryborough District Cricket Association finals start this week, with Laane hosting Clunes at True Blue Floors Oval, while Colts Phelans and Maryborough will clash at Hedges Oval.