Ian Ferguson
STEVE Paterson has played in cricket finals’ for every one of the past 17 seasons.
This made the battlehardened Cardinia batsman well prepared for Agrade grandfinal pressure when he strode to the wicket after his young teammate John Nooy was dismissed on the fourth ball of the innings.
At that stage his team was perilously placed on 1/1, but Paterson immediately went on the attack and began to dominate the Kooweerup bowlers with his strong drives and vigorous pull shots.
His fine innings of 77 included 11 boundaries and he deservedly won the Lex Duff medal for being the player of the match.
Paterson left the successful Knoxfield club to take on the Bulls’ coaching role four seasons ago and has happily stayed at the club he has come to love after relinquishing that leadership role.
Steve is now vicepresident of Cardinia and the 31yearold selfemployed businessman is planning to become a permanent resident in West Gippsland.
He will soon start building a house for his wife and three children in nearby Beaconsfield.
‘Patto’ suffered a bout of cramp after his matchwinning performance on Saturday, but the seasoned finals’ specialist will stand up strongly again for Cardinia when the club defends its senior premiership crown in the 200708 season.
