DESPITE a loss, many Hawkesbury Cricket Club players experienced the opportunity of a lifetime to play at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
The club qualified for the NSW Premier Cricket competition’s preliminary T20 final against Penrith, but lost the match.
It was disappointing to lose according to club president Richard Timbs, but he said in years to come, many of the players at the club would look back fondly on what is likely the only opportunity for many players to play at the SCG.
“The atmosphere was fantastic. We had quite a lot of Hawkesbury supporters, I think we probably had the largest base,” he said.
“I think the players themselves were rapped to be able to play there and be in the dressing rooms and be surrounded by all the history.”
Hawkesbury was sent in by Penrith on Sunday morning, and things started well.
At the 10 over mark the club was 1-69, after Josh Clarke fell.
However, from there the Hawks’ batting line-up offered little resistance to the Penrith attack.
Apart from openers Clarke and Ryan Mizzi, who top scored with 42, no other batsman reached double figures.
The club was bowled out for 96 after 18.5 overs.
An early wicket had Penrith at 1-17, giving Hawkesbury a sniff but that soon disappeared.
The Penrith batsmen dug in and the runs started flowing freely.
Hawkesbury caused some panic within the Penrith line-up taking two quick wickets with the scores at 2-78 and then 3-80, however, Penrith chased down the total set for the victory.
Timbs said the players were disappointed with how the game finished, after a strong start.
However, he said in retrospect, the club had done very well to reach the finals and it was always tough taking on established clubs like Penrith.
“It is a learning experience. Not many clubs win finals their first time,” he said.
“The players would be a little bit disappointed that they didn't play their best, but we shouldn't overlook the fact we were undefeated in the conference stage and we had a great home semi-final.”
