Stingrays stun Tea Tree Gully to win their first A-grade premiership

LONG-TIME Southern District president Harvey Jolly struggles to contain his emotions when asked what the club’s first A-grade cricket flag means to the Stingrays.

Southern District players and officials celebrate after the club won its first A-grade premiership – 23 years after entering the competition. Picture Dean Martin.

LONG-TIME Southern District president Harvey Jolly struggles to contain his emotions when asked what the club’s first A-grade cricket flag means to the Stingrays.

“It’s unbelievable really,” Jolly said.

“This thing belongs to a lot of people – certainly the players who played in the game but also a lot of people who contributed over a lot of years who should feel part of it.

“For our club to gain metropolitan success as a southern club is very special for our club and the entire southern area.”

Twenty-three years after entering the A-grade competition, Southern upset minor premier and defending champion Tea Tree Gully in the grand final at Woodville Oval at the weekend to end its title drought.

The Stingrays had qualified for the finals just once before this season, had never made a grand final and finished eighth last summer.

Jolly, who was captain/coach of Southern’s inaugural side in 1993/94, choked up while recalling the moment Stingrays skipper Shaun Tanner hit the winning six.

“There was a lot of emotion – a lot – and a lot of celebration.”

Jolly said the southern community got behind the Stingrays as about 200 supporters, including members of Sheidow Park, Port Noarlunga and Reynella cricket clubs, and Christies Beach Football Club, attended the grand final. “There was real community spirit.”

Jolly said winning five games in a row after the club’s round 10 bye was a “fairytale story”.

He was confident the club could win the grand final because the pressure was on the Bulls.

“We quite like the underdog tag.

“We felt we had some momentum ... and the players believed they were a real chance.”

Jolly credited Tanner, player/coach Andrew Staunton and Redbacks paceman Gary Putland for their roles but said the triumph was a team effort.

“(Staunton’s) passion, enthusiasm and never-say-die attitude is infectious.

“(Tanner) is a true leader of young men and an exceptional competitor.

“And I think we’ve got a group of young players who have stepped up.”

The Stingrays celebrated at Woodville for an hour before heading to Bice Oval, their home ground, for post-match presentations.

Originally published as Stingrays stun Tea Tree Gully to win their first A-grade premiership