Albion success ‘brilliant’ feeling

A bit of rain did not get in the way of the game, as the two teams traded runs and wickets back...
A bit of rain did not get in the way of the game, as the two teams traded runs and wickets back and forth until the final moments of the match. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG
Albion are the champions of the division 2 Southland Cricket competition, after a photo finish over Wyndale on Saturday.

A bit of rain at Hamilton Park did not get in the way of the highly contested game, which Albion eventually won by just four runs.

Albion captain Matthew King, who has been with the team for about 10 years, said his first championship with his team was an incredible feeling.

"[I’m] ecstatic, over the moon.

"We’ve come close in previous seasons. To actually win is brilliant," he said.

King said although there was a spirit of sportsmanship, the tension and competitiveness were palpable on the pitch.

"There was a good atmosphere, but both teams wanted to win.

"It was just a really good game, a good competition," he said.

The Albion Cricket Team are the division 2 Southland Cricket champions, winning the cup by four...
The Albion Cricket Team are the division 2 Southland Cricket champions, winning the cup by four runs against Wyndale on Saturday in a highly competitive match. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
To pull out the victory, King said the team had to dig deep and trust in themselves and keep their eyes on the prize.

"I just think we just kept believing. We kept our nerve, kept believing, and managed to pull it out.

"It was tense out there. They were so close, we were so close, we just had to stay focused," he said.

It was a team effort to get the cup, but King said he wanted to give credit to a few players who had some heroics on the pitch.

"I have to give it to one of our younger players, Lachie Phillips. He managed to take three key wickets and that just turned things on its head.

"I’d also love to shout out to Rueban Sleeman. He had 40 runs for us, which was vital at the end of the day.

"It wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on, so him getting those was really vital," he said.

gerrit.doppenberg@alliedpress.co.nz