Minor premiers awarded SACA titles for 2019/20 season after finals series cancelled due to coronavirus
Top-of-the-table Kensington has been named the SACA Premier Cricket first-grade title winners following the cancellation of finals due to COVID-19. But not all clubs agreed on the outcome.
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Perennial powerhouse Kensington is the big winner from this season’s SACA finals being abandoned because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A phone hook-up between the 13 Premier Cricket club delegates on Wednesday night voted to award premierships to the minor premier in each grade of men’s, women’s and junior cricket.
This meant the Browns won back-to-back first-grade men’s titles and West Torrens was declared the winner of women’s first-grade.
But the decision was not unanimous.
Asked whether the minor premier in each Premier Cricket grade should be awarded the premiership, seven clubs voted yes, three no and three did not vote.
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The result was 7-3 in favour of the minor premier being awarded the cup.
Kensington, which beat Tea Tree Gully outright on the weekend to leapfrog Adelaide University into top spot in first-grade, also won the third and fourth-grade men’s titles.
Adelaide University won second-grade.
The Eagles finished top in women’s first-grade while Southern District won second-grade.
In juniors, Sturt won the under-14 Red and White competitions, Tea Tree Gully the under-16 Reds and Glenelg the under-16 Whites.
Browns captain Elliot Opie said he was delighted his club had won three flags, but described his feelings as being “different’’ after being denied the chance to play finals.
“It’s been a weird week for everyone and we’re not sure how to celebrate because we haven’t been in this position before, but I think the right decision was made,’’ he said.
“With no finals being played and the fact we completed the full minor round, I think the fairest way to decide it was to award the premiership to the minor premier.’’
SACA Premier Cricket Manager Steve Busbridge said he understood the outcome was not ideal for everyone, but a decision had to be made.
“We understand that this decision has impacted heavily on clubs who were ready to play finals matches over the coming weeks,” Busbridge said.
“Many hours of planning, preparation and training have been completed by teams to reach the finals and I empathise sincerely with those who had secured a finals berth, but are now denied the chance to pursue a premiership title.
“I would like to thank all Premier Cricket officials, players, coaches, scorers and volunteers for their participation and diligence throughout a difficult season.
“There are many challenges involved throughout every season, but none more so than now with the uncertainty of how COVID-19 will play out.
“On behalf of SACA, congratulations to all premiership winners across all grades.”
SACA Premiers:
Men
First-grade: Kensington
Second-grade: Adelaide University
Third-grade: Kensington
Fourth-grade: Kensington
Women
First-grade: West Torrens
Second-grade: Southern District
Juniors
Under-16 Red: Tea Tree Gully
Under-16 White: Glenelg
Under-14 Red: Sturt
Under-14 White: Sturt