Pakenham’s Sugeesha Dinushan is a leading contender for the Glasscock Medal for best player at country week after his consistent form playing for the West Gippsland Warriors.
By David Nagel
THE West Gippsland Warriors finished their division two Country Week campaign in sixth position last week after a terrific start to the titles was wasted by a crucial lapse in concentration on the second day.
With a win, a draw and two losses the Warriors gained enough points to remain in the second tier for next season but a lack of killer instinct cost them dearly when their big opportunity was presented on day two.
After brushing aside Kyabram at Waverley on Monday, the Warriors travelled to Bayswater to take on Ferntree Gully and when a Callum O’Hare inspired attack had the opposition on the ropes at 5/54, the Warriors prospects for the week looked bright.
Steadying partnerships by the Gully team saw them register a competitive score of 7/163 but the Warriors collapsed early to 5/35 in reply and never really recovered, for the day or the week, being bowled out for 118.
That stretch of play on Tuesday was the crucial stage of the week.
Wednesday came and went without success against Bairnsdale at Endeavour Hills before the Warriors were unfortunate on Thursday, when in a dominant position, the heavens opened up and they settled for a draw.
Skipper Aaron Avery was pleased with the efforts of his side but agreed the Tuesday slip up was the turning point of the week.
“We bowled outstanding but then wasted it with the bat,” Avery said. “I thought we were more than competitive throughout the week but it just takes a bit of getting used to, batting on tricky decks that we’re not used to playing on.
“We got caught a couple of times playing across the line.” Avery was most impressed with his Tooradin team-mates O’Hare and opening bowler Lukas Hoogenboom while Cardinia’s wily spinner Dwayne Doig and Pakenham’s Sugeesha Dinushan were names prominent on most days.
Hoogenboom was more impressive than his figures indicate with a fiery spell against Bairnsdale troubling all batsmen but sloppy fielding proved costly for the Warriors and the big quick. Avery was happy to be captain of such a close group of players.
“Yeah, I think everyone enjoyed the week, personally I didn’t perform too well but it was enjoyable from a team point of view,” he said
“Everyone got along well on and off the field; it was a good week to be a part of.”
