From left, Pakenham captain Mick Torney walks onto the field with Ben Miller and Sean Gramc after Saturday’s win. 75739 Picture: David Nagel
By David Nagel
PAKENHAM captain Mick Torney proved sportsmanship is alive and well after Saturday’s epic encounter with Tooradin when he paid a visit to the deflated Seagulls change rooms.
After years of playing senior cricket and playing in big games, Torney spoke briefly to the Tooradin players about the spirit and quality of their encounter.
“Fellas, I know you’re disappointed, but I just want to say that game was played in great spirit and was one of the best games I’ve been a part of,” Torney said before inviting the players back to the clubrooms.
Back in his own change rooms, Torney was happy with the win but full of praise for both sides.
“An awesome win, we needed to get one back on Tooradin, they beat us at their home ground,” he said.
“I thought if we could keep them to under 220, we’d be a real shake and that’s how it panned out.
“I thought our spinners would be the key, but Cal (Callum O’Hare) batted beautifully; it was just a super game played in good spirits.
“It really sets us up now; it puts us a game clear, it was a big game for us.”
Tooradin skipper Aaron Avery was understandably gutted at the result.
“It was great game, it ebbed and flowed; they had us then, we had them, but to get so close but so far away, it puts us back in the pack now,” Avery said.
“They got off to a flyer with Benny (Ben Maroney), but I was really impressed the way we fought back; we slowed the run-rate and took some wickets, it’s just the way it goes.”
