It’s not often a 239 run win is overshadowed but one of the big talking points from Court House’s clash with Mornington on Saturday was the two hat-tricks that were taken.
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A rare feat in itself - two hat-tricks in the one game - the fact that they were in different innings gave the story that bit more of an edge.
Neither Court House skipper Farran Lamb nor his counterpart Jason Rose could remember being involved in a game where two hat-tricks were claimed.
“I’ve played in a game where I got one but I’ve never seen two in one game,” Lamb said.
Rose (4-18) snared the first at the back end of Court House’s innings as the defending champions piled on 8-296 from their 40 overs.
That was always going to be tough for an undermanned Mornington to chase down and so it proved to be with Ben Irwin (6-19) finishing his spell with a hat-trick to skittle them for just 57.
They only had nine after a few late pull-outs.
It left a few gaps in the field and Isaac Harris and Brad Gander took full advantage.
Harris smacked 82 and Gander 86, and put on 174 for the second wicket as Court House hammered 1-172 off their first 20 overs.
“Isaac had a really good game,” Lamb said.
Usually batting down at three or four he was promoted to open, and produced his highest score of the season.
“Because he has been batting pretty good, we thought we’d give him a go,” he said.
“It would have been good to see him get his 100.”
As it would have Brad Gander. Hard work in the oppressive heat, they probably got a bit tired towards the end, Lamb said.
He was eyeing off 300 and helped them almost get there with an unbeaten 42.
Ben Hennessy (1-40), Prashandh Van Houten (1-25), Nick Willoughby (1-55) and Harry Willoughby (1-17) shared the remaining spoils for Mornington.
Besides Rose arguably the pick of the bowlers, the younger Willoughby (Harry) was then Mornington’s shining star with the bat. The 14-year old showed his elder team-mates how it is done top-scoring with 16*, and impressing his skipper.
“He showed some good patience,” Rose said.
Rose praised the way his side never gave up when it would have been easy to do.
“Everyone kept trying.
“They kept chasing the ball,” he said.
Guilty of bowling “a bit in their zone” in the first 20, he said the second 20 they bowled a lot tighter.
Lamb said it was a good way to finish the year and was pleased to see Irwin to get a few wickets after last time be bowled being taken out of the attack for bowling too many no-balls.
Jasper Thomas (1-22) claimed the other wicket, Lamb only having to use the three bowlers as they wrapped up the Mornington innings inside 15 overs.