By Casey OÇonnor
Stanthorpe staged a remarkable comeback to win the 2023 Mitchell Shield representative competition in difficult conditions on Sunday against Gatton at home.
Defending 197 Stanthorpe bowlers put their team back in the match taking four wickets for seven runs in the closing overs, though Gatton still looked to have it won needing three runs from the final three overs.
But despite the energy sapping heat, Stanthorpe held their nerve in the field to have the home team all out for 196 in the 47th over falling one run short of a draw and two from winning.
Stanthorpe captain Lachie Pill paid tribute to his side saying the team showed great commitment and character and a “never say die attitude” in the field.
“We kept fighting when the odds were against us and I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” he said.
Although they won the competition, Stanthorpe players were unable to lift the Mitchell Shield in celebration, seems Toowoomba are unable to find the Shield they won in 2022.
Stanthorpe and District Cricket Association President Tim Harslett was quick to praise the team.
“The game against Lockyer was played in brutal conditions,” he said.
“Temperatures in Gatton were in the forties and there was a strong hot wind blowing making playing conditions for both teams extremely unpleasant.”
“It is a pretty incredible result given the circumstances.
“At the 40 over drinks break it looked like the heat had cooked our boys, but they had a desperation to win and took their opportunities when it counted.
“It allowed them to steal the win.”
The game went down to the wire as Lockyer chased Stanthorpe’s total of 197.
“It was a scorching hot day and a very good toss to win and bat first, putting the pressure on the opposition,” Pill said.
The captain has been one of the mainstays of the team throughout this representative season and on Sunday led the way opening the batting with Sam Dowie.
He top-scored, falling short of another half century, dismissed for 46. The score was 2/107 and the captain had helped set a good platform for his team to build on batting with Dowie and then a partnership with Charlie Moncada (40). Pill said there were also some very handy runs scored late in the order which boosted their total.
Stanthorpe were all out for 197 with only two balls remaining in their 50 overs.
The pendulum swung from Gatton to Stanthorpe several times during the second innings. At different stages in the game the Lockyer batters looked to have the ascendancy and then the Stanthorpe bowling attack.
Gatton fought back from 5/89 thanks to a fine innings of 72 from Daniel Pollock.
When Liam Lanza caught and bowled Joshua Reisenleiter the score was 7/189.
Pollock was still at the wicket and looking solid.
The game was in the balance but favouring the home side so there was plenty of excitement on and off the field when Lanza bowled Pollock.
Lockyer required just three run to win with more than three overs remaining.
However, the Stanthorpe players still had the belief they could get the job done.
The Lockyer captain Christopher O’Brien faced only three deliveries before Lanza struck again dismissing him for two – the score now 9/196.
The game came down to a battle between the Gatton tailenders and the Stanthorpe bowlers – two runs or one wicket.
The Stanthorpe bowlers held their nerve, and the celebrations began when Andrew Einam clean bowled Ethan Simpson for a duck.
Gatton all out for 196 in the 47th over, losing their last four wickets for seven runs. Stanthorpe home by one run with Liam Lanza 2/40 from nine, Damian Andeerson 3/22 from seven overs, Andrew Einam 2/35 from 6.2 and Zechariah Kalo Shem 2/29 from seven.
Although unable to hoist the Shield, the Stanthorpe captain, Lachie Pill did get to raise the trophy. Meanwhile, the search for the Mitchell Shield continues.
As Mitchell Shield winners (Eastern DD) Stanthorpe earned the right to play Roma winners of the Knox Shield (Western DD) for the Slade Shield.
The game will be played in Roma on 26 February. Play commences on the synthetic pitch at the Roma Cricket ground at 8am. Stanthorpe players are planning to head to Roma on Saturday afternoon and will be hoping for kinder weather conditions.
