Observer55 wrote:Whatsfordinner wrote:When will Salisbury West be stopped?
Surely there’s a club out there that can put a team together to get it done!
Their run will come to an end eventually, the McIntyres will age. Their 16's had some success this year so maybe a few more reasonable cricketers coming through the ranks, although junior success doesn't always translate to senior success. Doesn't help when blokes keep flocking there from other clubs chasing success, Cant beat them - Join them!
Westies are so strong continually because they have always blooded youth into their A's from a young age, the only ring in from their premiership team was Tulloch, it's not as though players go flocking there for a flag, they've built success.
Virginia blew the perfect opportunity to knock them off, they were beaten by a smarter Angle Vale performance. Angle Vale bowled 46 overs by tea, it sneaks up on the batting side who usually play cautious til the tea break then push the rate along with wickets in the shed, going out for two 12 over stints opposed to two 17 over ones changes the mindset. This caused Virginia to bat too slow, generally Shaun Lay can get away with striking around 40 off 100 as he then accelerates, they usually have batters around him srtike at 70 to 80, they collectively managed 76 off 254 balls between 3 batters, it made it hard to reach 200 from there.
Having said that, 174 was still very defendable, Ash Fry batted brilliantly and Virginia should've clogged up his main scoring avenues, James Kelly played his role perfectly despite almost sending me to sleep, AV played smarter cricket and it got them to the big dance.
As long as there is two day cricket Salisbury West will always be right up there, they use the season to audition players for the finals and then step up a level once they get there. When you have up to 7 players with match-winning capabilities you're always going to be strong, all of their premiership XI will still be playing in 10 years time, the only change might be if Justin finally gives turf a crack, he's big [art of the cricket culture out there so I think that ship has sailed.
Opposing clubs may hate them but you have to admire them, they simply peak at the right time of year and win flags.