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PUMP
The Samford Progress Association’s free community newspaper printed continuously since 1977.
The ILLAGE
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“Your Community Newspaper, owned by the Samford Community and produced for the benefit of the Samford Community.” 23 FEBRUARY 2024
P: 0477 663 696 E: editor@villagepump.org.au NEXT DEADLINE THURSDAY 29/02/2024
SAMFORD VICTORIOUS IN ANNUAL BEN WINN SHIELD DAYBORO V SAMFORD HIGHVALE, 4 FEBRUARY 2024 The 2024 Winn Shield was won under the most tense circumstances imaginable. But the picture must be set. Samford won a good toss and elected to bowl in humid conditions and a damp, slow outfield. It was looking like one of those days, when Kane Zalewski put Julian Heap over Mount Glorious Road in the first over. Batting conditions were tricky, with little value for shots along the ground and the pitch skidding through more than usual. Kane was caught in the outfield off Rod Shanley’s bowling, nipping in the bud a dangerous opening. Samford quickly honed in on a line and length to trouble the batsmen. With the ball bouncing less, Chris Binkhorst was always challenging the stumps: trapping Charlie Geddes LBW and bowling Adam Heathwood. Dale Heathwood provided a base in the Dayboro middle order, hitting boundaries regularly through the legside in particular. Jordan Lane removed Clint Heathwood with his first ball and the game was moving at a fast pace. After the first drinks break Dane Forsyth and Will Conway bowled tight spells, strangling the scoring rate. Ben Winn was looking good at the crease, clearing the boundary, unhampered by the long grass. Ben struck a big shot to long-on off Will. It hung in the air for a long time
before Chris Neill took a crucial catch. Some clinical bowling at the death by Julian Heap left Dayboro all out for 98. It was over so quickly, the always sensational lunch hadn’t been cooked yet. Dayboro dismissed the father and son opening combo of Peter and Jordan Lane with accurate bowling from Brent O’Shansey and Rob Geddes. Chris Neill kept scoring freely and play stopped for lunch with Samford at 2/46 off 10 overs. With a chase of 53 to get and 8 wickets in hand, the mood of the Samford team was pretty positive. Things didn’t start well after the break, with the Samford captain castled by Kane. Chris Neill continued to score, riding his luck at times, but making it look easier than anyone else. Then the chaos started. Chris retired for 58 not out and Brent O’Shansey got Andrew Middleton caught by the irrepressible Boyd McKenzie to make it 4/84. With only 15
required, Samford wasn’t too worried about losing another wicket. But then another fell, and another, and another. Four ducks in a row had the game on a knife edge. Clint Heathwood kept applying the pressure, with figures of 3 for 5 runs. The last act was set up – Julian Heap and Chris Binkhorst, Samford’s number 10 and 11 at the crease – 15 runs to win. Get the runs, you’re a hero, get out and the large crowd will witness a collapse greater than that of the South Pine River’s banks. The two batsmen brought a long-lost calm to the assignment. They kept out the good balls and played straight. Three border collies tried to break the tension but were shooed away from the playing field. Run by run the crowd was counting down: from 15 to 8 to 5 to even. Then, to finish it off, Chris Binkhorst hit a boundary and released the pressure valve. One of the most extraordinary Winn Shield wins came with 1 wicket and more than 11 overs to go. Crazy stuff. Having scored 58 of his team’s 99 runs, Chris Neill was presented with the Kerry Flynn Award for player of the match. A huge cheer went up for Bert Binkhorst who was presented the South Pine Plate for his efforts umpiring and helping keep games going all year. A close game, good company and great feed. Another special day at the Highlands Recreation Reserve. Gavin Bannerman
Samford’s winning team
Match Scorecard - Page 18.