BPCA 2023: Newcomb records first A2 win since 2020 with upset triumph over Surfcoast

A local Geelong side has recorded their first win in almost three years, stunning a newcomer to break their massive drought. See how they did it.

Shane Healey was the hero for Newcomb. Picture: Mark Wilson

Cellar dweller Newcomb has recorded its first BPCA A2 win in three seasons, knocking off newcomer Surfcoast by 15 runs in a stunning upset.

The side had failed to record a win in the past two seasons but a fantastic all-round display from captain Shane Healey led the Bulls to a well-deserved win — their first in 1064 days.

Healey made 60 with the bat and took two wickets with the ball as the Bulls bowled out Surf Coast with two overs left in their innings, notching their first victory in the competition since round three of the 2020/21 season.

Stingrays captain Richard Dawes played a lone hand with the bat for Surfcoast, making 60 but no other batter eclipsed 20 in the loss.

Surfcoast crossed into the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association this season after a one day premiership in the Geelong Cricket Association but sit winless after two matches, losing another close game to Portarlington in round one.

Surfcoast batter Jeevan Rihal was skittled by Shane Healey. Picture: Mark Wilson

Stingrays batter Ben Tekin said a host of outs across the club hurt them, including three of their best batters from their ones side, but lay the blame on poor fielding which cost his side dearly.

He is confident that his side came be “highly competitive” in the coming weeks.

“We’re not a club that wants to make excuses for a performance like that but we did have 3 of our main batsman out and a good 11 players out across the club which for our 2nd side that meant a few ring ins and a few fill ins and stuff like that,” Tekin said.

“There was a lot of dropped catches, misfields which Newcomb, to their credit, they capitalised on that. It was very positive for them, first win in a while.

“It is a massive leap from the club in terms of standards. We’ve come from playing one-day cricket which is essentially fifth cricket in GCA. We’ve come off a premiership in that.

“To go off our performance against Portarlington last week it was a much better performance but we’re still super confident with the players that we’ve got to come back that we’ll be highly competitive and get a win over the next couple of weeks.”

Originally published as BPCA 2023: Newcomb records first A2 win since 2020 with upset triumph over Surfcoast