DDCA: Mitch Forsyth and Ryan Quirk pile on runs in record stand

Springvale South openers Mitch Forsyth and Ryan Quirk had a few nervous moments on their way to a record breaking stand on Saturday. Here’s what happened.

Amid the hysteria of his record-breaking partnership with Mitch Forsyth, a disbelieving Ryan Quirk encouraged his opening partner to enjoy the moment.

Forsyth (149 not out) and Quirk (111) piled on 248 before the loss of a wicket against St Mary’s in Turf 1 of the Dandenong District Cricket Association on Saturday, eclipsing previous Springvale South club record held by Rory Ingram and Steve Masterson (232) in 2008-09.

While admitting the gigantic stand was “a blur”, Quirk remembers urging his partner to soak it in.

“When we’re batting together we have a lot of fun, we have a few laughs and make little comments at each other,” he revealed.

“It makes it a lot easier that’s for sure, I love it, he’s an awesome opening partner.

“We were sort of just looking at each other going: ‘what is going on?’.

“It was all a blur to be honest, once Mitch passed 100 I think he hit three or four bombs in about eight balls, I asked him ‘what is going on?’, he goes ‘I don’t know’, I told him to keep going.

“At the start of the innings there was a lot of game sense, then we just said let’s get to 100, then we went alright (now let’s get to) 150, when we got that we said why not, let’s get 200.

“When we got to 200 we just agreed to enjoy it, because it doesn’t happen very often.

“We saw the post from the club that said we had the record partnership, we looked at each other and just said wow, because this sort of stuff happens once in a cricketing lifetime.

“To share that together was just awesome.”

It was a breakout performance for Forsyth, who previously had a highest score – in any grade of cricket – of 74.

His ninth double-figure score – but first above 50 – for the summer was one where everything clicked – but it didn’t come without some nerves.

“He has been hitting the ball well all year but he was just finding ways to go out,” Quirk said.

“I think for him, once he gets to between 20 and 40 he maybe needs to switch back on, he was hitting the ball so well so he flew from 50 to 100 in no time.

“As soon as he hit 90 he came up to me and goes ‘mate, I am absolutely s****ing myself’, I just told him to hit 10 singles if he needs to.

“Once he got to 100 the shackles were released, he just went bang, bang, bang.

“To make 149 off 140 odd balls, it gives him a massive amount of confidence going forward now I would’ve thought.”

Mitch Forsyth embraced after his clinical knock. Photo: Facebook.

Quirk himself has faced few troubles with the bat this summer, with just one score below 37 – grossing 442 runs at an incredulous average of 73.

The Bloods’ skipper is adamant his current form is as a result of his bond with his opening partner, as well as one particular area of improvement.

“My problem in the past was that I wasn’t a great lofter of the ball,” he explained.

“In this pre-season – and a bit towards the end of last year – was to be able to hit over the top a bit more.

“Once you can hit over the top they spread the fields and then I can go back to my natural game of hitting gaps.

“Batting with Mitch, how we’re going as a team, that helps any cricketer for sure, we’ve made some massive scores as a side so I have been happy to be able to contribute to that.”

The Bloods eventually posted 2-300 from their 45 overs before dismissing St Mary’s for 94.

Elsewhere in Turf 1, Buckley Ridges all but ended Berwick’s summer with a crushing 121-run win.

The Bucks rattled through the Bears for just 176 after posting 7-297.

DJ Watson was prolific, belting 85 with the bat before snaring 4-28 with the ball.

Hallam Kalora Park continued its red-hot form, defeating Narre South, while North Dandenong remained in the hunt for finals with victory over Parkmore Pirates.