GDCA 2018-19: Gisborne pays tribute to Clare Waites
GISBORNE channelled the fighting spirit of the late wife of its coach Glenn Waites on an emotional day one of its match against Wallan on Saturday.
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GISBORNE channelled the fighting spirit of the late wife of its coach Glenn Waites on an emotional day one of its match against Wallan on Saturday.
Clare Waites passed away on Friday night after being diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine small cell cancer earlier this year.
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Dragons captain Jarryd Vernon said the news had hit the club hard.
“I know it struck a few of the boys pretty hard,” Vernon said.
“I know we said Waitesy and Clare would be wanting us to play cricket, so to make sure we played it in a good spirit and win for Clare.
“She loved being around the club and it was definitely a downer around the club on Saturday morning.”
The club and wider community have led fundraising efforts for the family through the There for Clare website.
Vernon praised the courage Waites had shown to lead the club during his wife’s cancer battle.
“The way he has handled it has been unbelievable and taking on a coaching role as well, it has been pretty hard for him,” he said.
“But he’s done a really good job coaching the club.
“The courage he has shown over the last 12 months or whatever it has been, you would think there’s nothing going on.
“He’s a very strong character, Waitesy.”
Gisborne routed Wallan for 100 in 19.3 overs on Saturday in their McIntyre Cup fixture after Magpies opener Russell Whittingham hammered 18 runs from the opening five balls.
West Indian quick Recordo Gordon snared 6-42, while Jay King collected 3-54 for the Dragons.
Gisborne passed its target with four wickets to spare in 27 overs, reaching 6-124 before Vernon asked Wallan to bat again.
The Magpies went to stumps at 2-33, leading by nine runs.
“We bounced back in a good way and I was happy with the way the boys went about it,” Vernon said.
“Next week is going to be a big day for us to try and get an outright.”
Elsewhere, Sunbury compiled 242 against Romsey, Diggers Rest Bulla scrambled to 4-45 chasing Sunbury United’s 93 and Bacchus Marsh piled on 9-375 against Woodend.
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