Hawkesbury Cricket Club has had its season cut short by the impact of the coronavirus just as three of its grades (Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades) were set to embark on a playoff run in the Sydney Metropolitan competitions.
Fourth Grade were dealt the cruelest blow after leading their competition for most of the season.
In the final round of the Fourth Grade competition Matt Williams bowled 5/9 against Campbelltown, who only reach 85 before rain denied them a certain win.
This would have clinched the Minor Premiership and subsequently the overall Premiership in Fourth Grade, after all cricket was cancelled and titles were awarded to the Minor Premiers in each grade.
Tragically, this meant the Hawkesbury's Fourth Grade missed being awarded the Premiership by a single point behind first placed Sydney University.
Fifth Grade side catapulted themselves into fifth on the ladder in the final round with a comprehensive win over Campbelltown before the rain came.
The very young Sixth Grade side also finished the season off well, in fourth spot, and were set to play their Sydney Metro Competition semi-final against UNSW before the season was terminated prematurely.
First Grade had a resounding last round win against playoff aspirants Campbelltown.
The Hawks posted a competitive 7/268 from their 50 overs with Dale McKay leading the way with a scintillating 113 to post his third century for the season.
Captain Peter Forrest finished the season well with 62 and 17-year-old Nivvi Radhakrishnan added 55 to his breakthrough season total, to finish as the leading run-scorer for the club with an aggregate of 627.
In reply, Campbelltown had to wait for a rain delay before falling short of chasing a reduced total, to miss out on a playoff spot.
Spinners Radhakrishnan and Abdul Hameed Kherkah each took two wickets for the Hawks, with off-spinner Kherkah topping the club aggregates with an impressive 30 wickets for the season.
The Hawks First Grade also performed well in early March as they traveled to Adelaide to participate in the National T20 Premier Cricket tournament.
Hawkesbury beat last year's winners Carlton, from Melbourne, in their first game.
Dale McKay lead the way with a the bat hitting a big 64 not out including three sixes off the last four balls of the innings.
In game two the Hawks had a remarkable tie with Melbourne's Monash Tigers before losing in the super over, in one of the most exciting games of the tournament.
The final match for Hawkesbury saw a loss to the favoured Valley club from Brisbane.
The other club from the Sydney Metropolitan competition, Sydney Tigers went on to win the tournament against Adelaide University.
Despite the disappointment of the finals cancellation, the seasons results in the T20 competition and three grades reaching the playoffs, reflected the best results for the club in many years.
The club is excited about this season's success and optimistic of building towards further success next season.
Finn Coleman
I understand the importance of community news in highlighting stories that members of local communities care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make towns unique. Email me at finn.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0437 550 909
I understand the importance of community news in highlighting stories that members of local communities care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make towns unique. Email me at finn.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0437 550 909
