'Camaraderie and team spirit' the secret ingredients in Third Grade premiership

CHAMPIONS: Third Grade after their grand final victory. Back row from left: Udi Lokuge, Matt Culverson, Will Davis, Dom Ferguson, Shehan Fernando and Angus Gorman with (front row from left) Rubin Singh, Cooper Biddle, captain Mick Curran, George Eleftheriou, Sajith Rajapaksha and vice-captain Riley Krause.

Captain Mick Curran and vice-captain Riley Krause have heralded fantastic team unity as the key to Orange CYMS Cricket Club's Third Grade premiership in 2023-24.

The team claimed the Orange District Cricket Association trophy in the most emphatic style imaginable, smashing minor premiers Spring Hill at the Country Club Oval.

Electing to bat first in the 40-over decider, Spring Hill were routed for just 28, with Krause's devastating spell of 6-3 off 3.4 overs the catalyst.

Openers Rubin Singh (12) and Curran (14 not out) wiped off most of the total before Dom Ferguson (4 not out) had the honour of hitting the winning runs.

The victory capped a great season for the team, which won 10 of 15 regular-season fixtures before taking down Gladstone in the semi-final.

Curran said "camaraderie and team spirit" were the keys to the team's success in recent seasons.

"Individual performances are one thing, and obviously important, however when games are in the balance or times are tough, knowing you’ve got 11 other good mates around you makes the difference," Curran said.

Krause agreed, adding: "All year long one thing that has consistently held true is we have relied on full team performances to win games".

"Be it bowling batting or in the field, over and over again our players have done as much or as little that is asked of them and it's resulted in yet another title."

Both Gladstone and Spring Hill played in the ODCA Second Grade competition in 2022-23. They are also single-team clubs, with their best players in Third Grade.

But the depth of performers in the CYMS team proved too strong, with three players among the competition's top 10 run-scorers, a different three in the top 10 wicket-takers, and keeper Matt Culverson leading all rivals in terms of dismissals.

While the Third Grade premiership was the only one secured by the club in the 2023-24 season, the club also claimed the W.C. McCarthy Cup, awarded to the ODCA's champion club.

Additionally, the club's Centenary Cup, under-16s, under-12s and under-11s White teams all played in grand finals, while First Grade, Bonnor Cup, under-14s Gold and under-14s Green all qualified for their respective finals.

Curran said "the vibe at our club - from juniors to women’s and right through to First Grade - is outstanding".

"We all train together, play together, and we all celebrate together. This is what gets results in the long run," he said.

The win is the club's third consecutive Third Grade grand final appearance, with the 2021-22 campaign also ending in a premiership. That team was skippered by President Ben McNiven.