The Bookham Bulls were crowned 2022/23 Triggs Shield Premiers on Saturday, March 18, defeating the Dalton Dingoes by just three runs in a nail-biting finish in the Yass District Cricket Association Grand Final.
Angus Burleigh, YDCA President and Bookham Bulls player said the final game of the season lived up to expectations.
“The Grand Final was definitely the best cricket game I’ve ever played in,” Burleigh said.
“Dalton won the toss and sent Bookham into bat. It was unknown what the wicket was going to do but seemed to play pretty true.
“There were a few edgy moments to start, but Tim Hazell managed to get us off to a flyer.
“Bookham’s captain Tim Hazell was once again outstanding with the bat, scoring 40 runs.
“Dalton bowled pretty well on that wicket and took a fair few wickets in clumps, which wasn’t the best for us but we managed to edge our way to 10/117 off 32 overs.
“Nick Pollack for Dalton bowled pretty well, taking 6/19 off his 8 overs. He kept them right in the game.
“We then came into bowl and took some pretty consistent early wickets. There weren’t too many partnerships built, they would get a few runs then we would take a wicket and kept building that pressure.
“It came down to the last wicket and we were feeling pretty confident, but they managed to smack a few good shots around and made it pretty tense there in the end.
“There was four runs left for them to win with one wicket left and then in came Victor Coble, with the batsman skying a ball straight to Harrison King in the outfield and he took the catch and won us the Triggs Shield. “
Dalton were bowled out for 10/114 after 34 overs, falling agonisingly short of victory.
“Nick Pollack with his 6/19 and Tim Hazell virtually winning the game off his own bat with 40 runs and taking 5/10 off his 8 overs were the two standout performances of the day.
“It would’ve been a great day to watch cricket. It was very hot, obviously being 38 degrees.
“It was a good spectators game but it was very tense out there planning when it got a bit close, but we got there in the end which was good.
“It’s good to get a win for Bookham, they’ve been a battling team for the last few years, playing a lot of B Grade and C grade and having a few big losses over the years.
“But Andy Harding and all the other boys out there have done well to keep the team together and build them up to build a very competitive team and obviously take out the Triggs.”
Burleigh said the level of cricket was top-notch all season, with the premiership coming right down to the final ball of the season.
“The season was pretty good considering circumstances with a limited number of teams but the games are always competitive, everyone was in good spirits and they were played well.”
The 2023 Yass District Cricket Association presentation will be held on Saturday April 22nd at the Yass Golf Club at 6:30pm.
Well done to the Bookham Bulls!
Tim Warren
