Cheers! Sweet victory!

Many of us have seen the NRMA community cricket ad on TV where the eager little bloke proudly goes out to bat only to be bowled first ball. As he trudges back to the shed, head lowered, a lone spectator starts to clap, then everyone joins in.

Well, for the Glengarry Castle Hotel Cricket Team, the Castles, this was a reality, losing every match last summer. But this year they won the inner-west’s Golden Bails Cricket League, defeating solid favourites Newtown Slappers in the grand final at Centenary Oval, Croydon.

Forward to jubilant scenes at the pub after the match a few weeks ago and you can’t help but feel community spirit is still alive, helped by the love of a simple, but at times tricky, game.

Ahh, sweet victory! The Golden Bails trophy, first presented in 2015, now sits atop the bar. But the competition itself began in 1998, the first game of the Cooks River Cricket League featuring the Slappers. Teams representing Warren View, Golden Barley and the band, Magic Lunchbox, have featured local musos, publicans and pollies. Castles captain, Chief, represented Troy Horse Rehearsal Studios for 20-odd years before breaking ranks.

Trophy secured, there would be no more heckling from pub patrons, “Hey Chief, do you have a team for tomorrow?” “Hey Chief, can anyone bowl?” “Why do you guys bother?”

We won the toss (good omen) and our opening batsmen looked the goods until Dylan, an optometrist, took his eyes off the ball, caught for 1 run. His partner Rahul, however, hung around, the anchor for the batting side, to make a solid 31. As a movie mogul, he is used to long epics.

In comes all-rounder Luke (aka Seahorse due to a Bumrah-like bowling action) and the run-fest continues before he retires at 25 (comp rules, but you bat again if needed). Top-scorer, Brooker, made a sterling 72, with Pat contributing 26 and our number 11 bat, Brent, 13. The final score 8 for 186.

The Slappers’ opening bowlers were a handful, with Chris grabbing a respectful 3 for 10 off three (rules, everyone bowls three overs). He was ably assisted by Sam, who took 2 for 8.

The Slappers’ opening batsmen wasted no time chasing the Castles’ total, with their star, Bourne, knocking plenty of fours and the odd six to reach 40, he was assisted by Cameron before Seahorse struck, sending Cam to the sheds for 13.

A good spell of bowling from the Chief, Guru (aka our publican, Oli) and eagle-eyed Dylan helped matters. The crowd was hushed. Could history be in the making?

The Slappers batted well, but were stymied by consistent, canny bowling. Cousin Ed took a well-earned 2 for 9, and Dylan, keen to make up for the batting mishap, 2 for 24. The Slappers all out for a brave 170.

After the last ball, champagne corks popped, tears hit the concrete pitch matting, Castles players dropped to their knees. After years of pain, sweat, blood and beers … victory!