Matt Webber can’t remember how many Tom Locker Cup finals he has claimed with Hamilton-Wickham but Sunday’s victory at No.1 Sportsground was made a little extra satisfying as captain.
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The long-serving Hamwicks all-rounder was leading his troops in the Newcastle District Cricket Association one-day decider for the first time and they responded with a four-wicket win over University.
“It’s my first one as skipper and it is nice,” Webber said.
“It’s a bit more stressful and I don’t enjoy myself quite as much in the field, but we still have a fun time out there.”
Hamwicks have now collected six Tom Locker Cup crowns within the last two decades, the second most of any club, but this was the Pumas first since 2014-15.
Off-spinner Kain Anderson, who also plays under 21s for Hamwicks, picked up 3-31 as University were dismissed for 161 in the 40th and last over.
Man-of-the-match Dave Stevenson opened the batting and made 43 runs from 54 balls in setting up the ultimately successful run chase, which finished six down with 2.4 overs to spare.
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“He [Stevenson] is a very solid player for us, especially in finals,” Webber said.
“He likes playing at No.1, he gets in behind the ball and doesn’t take a backward step. He’s one of my favourite players in the team.”
Webber was also full of praise for Anderson.
“He [Anderson] is a very good young player,” Webber said.
“I thought he bowled well and has bowled well for us all year. He’s got a big future young Kain.”
University skipper Andrew Harriott said a few dropped chances and a relatively small total proved costly.
“Runs on the board in finals helps, but defending a low total like that you’ve definitely got to take all of your chances,” Harriott said.
“At the end of the day we were 20 to 30 runs short of what we would have liked. We just lost too many wickets early, but they bowled pretty exceptional as well.”
Harriott (32) and James Rushford (40) were the mainstays of the Uni innings before cameos from Luke Bird (20) and Michael Radnidge (20 not out).
Bird (3-24) was the best of the bowlers and gave his side half a chance with two wickets in quick succession to have Hamwicks 6-134 inside the last 10 overs.
Ben Balcomb made 35 for Hamwicks while earlier Tom Dwyer (2-18) and Mitch Casey (2-24) chipped in with two wickets apiece.
