Wy Yung has been crowned the 2019/20 Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) “A” grade premier.
The Tigers were awarded the premiership after coronavirus (COVID-19) forced the abandonment of the league’s senior grand finals.
Wy Yung, scheduled to play Lindenow South Glenaladale, was handed the silverware having finished the highest qualifier of the two teams.
In “B” grade, minor premier, St Mary’s Nagle, secured back-to-back premierships over Bruthen, while West Bairnsdale claimed the silverware over Metung Swan Reach in “C” grade.
BCA president, Ian Kyle, said it was a disappointing end to the season in what was a highly anticipated finals campaign.
“Having to cancel the grand finals and the presentation night has brought a disappointing end to the season,” Kyle said.
“The bushfires, smoke and the loss of points for a couple of clubs has made this a different season but it is what it is.
“We cancelled the grand finals for the benefit of everybody.
“I think the bottom line of it was that we were the only association in Victoria that was playing up until mid day on Thursday.
“There was a bit of pressure from the Victorian Country Cricket League for us to pull the pin on the grand finals.
“It is what needed to happen and it was unfortunate for the teams that made the grand finals.
“It has been a long season.”
Kyle says the resilience shown from BCA clubs throughout the season has been outstanding.
“I would like to say that from a BCA point of view that the help and support from the clubs has been terrific and it has made it easier to manage through what has been a tough season,” Kyle said.
“To have the support of the club has been great because they know how difficult it has been.”
Wy Yung “A” grade premiership captain, Darcy Murray, said it was a weird feeling be crowned premiers without taking the field.
“It was a bit of a hollow feeling,” Murray said.
“We would of loved to have the opportunity to get out there a play but circumstances didn’t allow that to happen, which is disappointing.
“I don’t feel like the league could have done more, their hands were tied and that’s just the way it played out.
“I still think at the end of the day we were deserving premiers because I think we’ve been the best team all season.
“We all wanted to play.
“We are just reflecting on what has been a good season and enjoying each others company.”
IMAGE: The dam wall has broke on Wy Yung’s 32-year Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) “A” grade premiership drought after the Tigers were announced premiers at the weekend. The grand final was called off due to the coronavirus, with the team finishing higher on the ladder earning the silverware. PICTURED: BCA “A” GRADE PREMIER – Wy Yung: Cameron McPhan, Todd Murray, Marcus Latham, Sean Phillipson, Daniel Dalton, David Wolfe, Stevie Bertino, Ben Saxon, Darcy Murray (captain), Nick Carroll and Daniel Gledhill. K257-4
