When James Hughes said he wanted Sunbury United to bat all day on the third day of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup grand final against Sunbury, he had a secret most people didn’t know.
The competition’s leading wicket taker had a grade two tear of his tricep and wouldn’t have been able to bowl if his side had to bowl again.
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Luckily for him, his batsmen did the job and Hughes and United won their fourth premiership in six years.
United resumed on day three at 1-43 having already secured a 56-run first innings lead.
Hughes, United’s captain-coach, said his side did exactly what they were asked in securing the win.
“We knew we wanted to bat until about 5pm and then the game was likely to be called off,” Hughes said.
“Ryan Billinghurst made 57 and batted tremendously and Dylan Wright made 27 off 118 balls spending plenty of time occupying the crease.
“It was a really good batting effort and we have not done that all year.
“We pretty much controlled the game and when it looked like the game would be closed down they got a wicket and it continued on for a bit longer, but it was never in doubt.”
During a drinks break about 5pm Sunbury’s captain and coach Jason McGann and Jason Elliott decided to end the game. United was 7-190. Ryan Billinghurst’s 57 was the top score.
McGann, who finished second in the season bowling tally to Hughes, finished with 3-50, while Heath Boffey took 3-23.
United allrounder Nathan Morse was named man-of-the-match after top-scoring with 34 in United’s first innings and then taking 5-35.
“It was well deserved and it was good that he stood up when he did with my injury meaning I couldn’t bowl,” Hughes said.
Hughes said while the attention was on a lot of the other finals-bound teams, his side was always in the thoughts of other teams.
“I don’t know whether we were ever under the radar, as all the other teams know what we are capable of and we showed that over the last two weekends.”
Not only is the flag United’s fourth in sixth years, it’s Hughes’ fourth in four seasons coaching the club.
