Green Shield 1993-94. Glory so near, so far - Penrith Cricket Club
By BRAD EARL
THE best side I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching,” was how Penrith’s Green Shield under-16 cricket team mentor Peter Savage reflected on his outstanding crop of youngsters after they fell at the last hurdle last Sunday.
The team was bidding to become the first in the 24-year history of Penrith Cricket Club to win the Green Shield, having reached the semi-final stage in the previous two seasons.
However, Fairfield ended Penrith’s great unbeaten run of 10 wins.
In the final at Campbelltown’s Raby Oval, Fairfield won the toss and batted but was restricted to 7/179 from its 50 overs, by some tight bowling from Penrith.
Best bowling figures were returned by Brett Savage (3/11) and Craig Marsh (2/30).
Penrith required three runs an over to win but lost two early wickets and despite some good scoring in the middle order — Savage (37), Ben Buffett (31) and Marsh (21 n.o.) — the side managed only 131.
There was some consolation for four players — Savage, Anthony and Philip Augustine and Matthew Tingay — in being selected in the Northern Zone Combined Green Shield team, with Anthony Augustine chosen as captain.
Savage and the Augustine twins showed their all-round ability during the competition by each taking more than 20 wickets and scoring more than 250 runs, while from the batsmen, Tingay passed the 300 mark.
Peter Savage, the father of team member Brett and a former star player with the club, attributed the side’s success to being well balanced with strengths in all areas.
He also praised Anthony Augustine’s captaincy, in the way he used the bowlers and his field placements.
“He thinks about the game a hell of a lot,” he said.
Although it was Savage’s first year as coach of the Green Shield side, he knew virtually all the players from coaching junior rep sides from 10 to 15.
He also captained most of them in fifth grade this season, which he said was part of club president Ray Hudswell’s plan to have fifth grade as basically the Green Shield side.
As the players are not only doing well in Green Shield but also in grade, Savage believes they will continue with Penrith in the future and he acknowledged the support of club officials.
As for himself, he says he will probably take a break from coaching next season, although he is keen to stay involved with the club in some capacity.
Although the side didn’t have much time together before the competition started in December, Savage said the “team” aspect had been something he had spoken about with the players from the outset.
“They just had very high team spirit, and I think that’s why they went such a long way,” he said.
