Camberwell clinch AGSV cricket premiership from fourth to break 19-year hoodoo

Camberwell pulled off one of the more unlikely of school premierships. Here’s the story of their “great” journey to winning the ultimate featuring star players, contributors, lessons and more.

Camberwell Grammar has broken the longest current AGSV cricket premiership drought after defeating Marcellin College by 62 runs in a captivating grand final at Bray Oval on Saturday.

The 137-year-old school last won a flag in 2002 which they shared with Ivanhoe Grammar and Marcellin in a three-way tie.

Making Camberwell’s rise to a premiership even more sweater was the fact the school hadn’t made the top four since 2004 before last season.

And this season, the school finished fourth again, but were able to go all the way after knocking off minor premiers Mentone, who hadn’t lost a game all season, in the semi-final and Marcellin in the decider.

Camberwell Grammar First XI celebrate their AGSV cricket premiership victory. Picture: Supplied.

Camberwell captain Will Stamper was stoked to claim the top honour.

“It is a very good feeling especially from where we came from just scrapping into finals,” Stamper said.

“To be able to knock off some of the bigger teams in the comp is definitely a massive achievement for us.”

Stamper mentioned how losing matches in the regular season helped prepare his side for finals under head coach Kerry Tsonis and assistant coach Michael Hancock.

“We had some really close tough losses to the three teams on top of us on the ladder in the end so we knew if we were to play them in the finals, that we were definitely a good chance,” he said.

“We probably learnt a lot from those losses, specifically when we lost to Mentone in the regular season.

“We learnt a lot and were able to change a few things and run on top of them in the semi-final.”

Stamper, who also plays for Canterbury and Balwyn Blasters outside of school cricket, said he was pleased with the total his side posted of 9-168 after 50 overs.

“We were sent in so we knew the wicket was going to be pretty tough to bat on and that proved pretty true,” he said.

“It was very hard to score on, very soft and slow so I think we knew if we could post a competitive score, anything sort of above the 150-mark, we would be well and truly in the game.

“Luckily our bowlers delivered on a huge scale and we were able to finish them off pretty quickly.”

Will Stamper scored a century earlier in the season to keep his side alive in the season.

Camberwell off-spinner William Lombardi took 2-23 off nine overs and claimed his wickets at crucial times when Mentone looked like gaining back momentum.

“He bowled really well,” he said.

“He is also another off spinner so we were able to use our three spinners across the board pretty well and really tighten up their run scoring and put a lot of pressure on them.”

Opening bowler Nicholas Graves was another key player in Camberwell’s triumph after taking 3-28 off 9.1 overs.

Stamper also credited his efforts.

“When you say key moments, I think definitely Nick Graves at the top with the new ball, he has been so good for us over the last four seasons,” he said.

“And for him to be able to have a really good performance in the grand final was pretty special to him and really good for the team on the day.”

Camberwell and Marcellin players in action during the AGSV cricket grand final. Picture: Supplied.

Friendships was what Stamper said he enjoyed about his side this season.

“I suppose with all school cricket, representing your school and playing with your mates is such a different experience to playing club cricket,” he said.

“The comradery and mateship you have playing with your mates is definitely something different and a good feeling I suppose.”

Stamper finished the season with the most runs of any batter in the competition.

He scored 548 runs for the campaign at an average of 91.33.

He also top scored in the grand final with a gritty 36 off 101 balls, helping his side post a winnable total and he was vital in getting his team into the finals.

Teacher in charge of the Camberwell’s 1XI Matt Sofoulis was complimentary of Stamper’s contribution to the school’s cricket program.

“It is not just this year,” Sofoulis said.

“All the way back to Year 7 when they had an undefeated side and we were ear marking the players of the future and he was one of those.

“He was a very talented tennis player as well so there was a bit of talk around as to whether he would stay in cricket or play tennis.

“But to see him come in the squad from Year 8 and to follow him for the last five years, he has been fantastic.

“And to score the runs with the pressure of being outside the top four and with the captaincy, and managing bowlers and players within that group, he has showed a lot of maturity throughout.”

What a weekend for Camberwell Sport! Well done to our Firsts Tennis, First XI Cricket and Firsts Table Tennis teams who were all crowned Premiers over the weekend for the 2022/2023 @agsvsport Summer Season. #CamberwellSport#agsvpic.twitter.com/LTv8iWrgZ8

— Camberwell Grammar School (@camberwellgram) March 20, 2023

Sofoulis said he enjoyed the team’s efforts and seeing their friendships grow.

“I was really proud of the boys throughout the whole season,” he said.

“With only a couple of games to go, we were outside the four and we had to win two games.

“And especially the game at PEGS when we chased down 250 runs to keep our season alive and that was Will’s first hundred.

“And to back that up in a big win against Peninsula in the last game of the season and then to take that form into the finals was really pleasing.

“But also the friendships in the group and how tight the group were.

“Even at training, they stay back afterwards and they love each others company and the extra work, the strength and conditioning.

“It just seemed like they were a really close group and got closer throughout the season.”

Sofoulis was also complimentary of off-spinner Luke Cariss-Brett who took the second most wickets in the competition with 16.

“He is a very talented off spin bowler,” he said.

“He is close with Will Stamper as well who has mentored him quite closely this year.

“And it was really pleasing that he was able to step up in the semi final and take six wickets.

“I think those were his career best bowling figures.

@sportagsv Cricket 🏏 action from this weekends Semi Finals.

B.O’Connor 68no - MARC
H.Mullavey-Clark 59 - ACK

L.Cariss-Brett 6/40 - CAMB (pictured)

We cannot wait for the Grand Final on Saturday 18th March! #agsv#sportagsv#agsvcricket#firsts#finalspic.twitter.com/vyhSEsllEW

— AGSV (@sportagsv) March 4, 2023

“He is a kid in Year 11 who has got another season in the program.

“We are very excited with what he can to do with ball but also with the bat.

“He is a hard hitting batsman and loves to clear the fence.”

Camberwell head of sport Lachlan Crawford was fulfilled by the experiences the players had.

“It means a lot, we are incredibly proud of the group,” Crawford said.

“It’s our first cricket premierships since 2002 so it’s been a long time coming.

“It has just been great to see the journey that these students in particular have gone on from Year 7 to now.

“We went on a cricket tour to the UK with a lot of them.

“It’s just been, as I said, a great journey and great reward for a lot of hard work for a terrific group of students, and the coaching group too who put in a lot of time and effort.”

Crawford said he liked how competitive the team was across the board.

“The ability to stay in it all the time,” he said.

“They had a few close losses and that belief that they had throughout the season.

“I think from the teams we have seen in the past, this one had a team full of contributors.

“There are some stars in the team but it took efforts from everyone within the team.

“And everyone stood up at various points within the season to contribute to the premiership so that was most pleasing.”