Geelong Grammar secure 10th APS cricket title

Geelong Grammar has clinched the APS cricket 2023 title. Here’s the unique way it played out, the unsung heroes, the stars and more in an “exciting” and “fantastic” feat for the school.

Geelong Grammar has won its second APS cricket premiership in nine years after a nail biting one-wicket victory over Carey Grammar on Saturday at the Carey Sporting Complex.

The win puts GGS 15 points clear of second-placed Xavier College, guaranteeing the 168-year-old school a first place finish heading into the final round of the 2022-23 campaign.

The premiership triumph is the school’s 10th ever cricket title since the APS began awarding the ultimate trophy in 1891.

GGS all-rounder Oliver Peake was the top contributor in the premiership-winning match with a brilliant bowling performance of 5-49 from 35.6 overs, which helped retain Carey to a total of 10-176.

Jack Headon starred with the bat, scoring an electrifying 64 off 42 deliveries, to lead his side to a memorable victory.

Geelong Grammar celebrating their APS cricket premiership. Pictured is co-coach Matt Gunther, teacher in charge of cricket Jye Hearps, assistant coach Charles McCartin and the players. Picture: Geelong Grammar

Celebrations erupted when tailender Jack Robinson hit a ball through the covers to see his side over the line with one wicket to spare.

It became a waiting game after the win as third placed Brighton were going for an outright victory to remain a chance of a premiership heading into the final round of the season.

But a reverse outright result left Brighton with four points which secured GGS the ultimate.

News filtered through on the GGS bus trip home, leading to further joy for the Geelong boys.

GGS co-coach Shaun Dean was proud of his side’s achievement in a season which has seen one loss from nine matches so far.

“I think it was a bit of a nervous wait in the end,” Dean said.

“We just got over the line against Carey and then three hours later, we had actually learnt that we won the premiership.

“It was a fantastic effort from our guys.

“Sort of being the hunted team this year with the so called superstars in the team with Peake and Henry, and then you add Josh Lindsay and Sam Lalor into that crew in Term 1, you get hunted.

“And the boys, at times, you can struggle with that sort of tag because you are coping everyone's best punch every week and that can wear you down.

“But apart from the (Geelong) College game, which was unfortunate to go down to your rival, we have weathered that week in week out.

“And especially (to bounce back the week after in) the Caulfield game, that was probably our best win I think.

“To win on a difficult wicket out there, and we had just been beaten by College so your confidence is a little bit dented.

“To win that game by four runs, that was our season right there.

“After that, I thought we were well on our way to clinching the title.

“I think that was a fantastic win that one.”

In Saturday’s triumph, Robinson was also among the wickets for GGS with two while Jake Nichols, Peake and wicketkeeper Charlie Calvert claimed two catches each, helping to keep Carey to a total of 176.

In reply, GGS were in control earlier with openers Samuel Lalor (42) and Calvert (19) putting on a 50-run partnership.

But afterwards, Carey fought back with five wickets in quick succession, including the big wicket of Peake, to have GGS in trouble at 5-102.

With the game in the balance, Headon blasted a sublime 64 off 42 deliveries to put his side in a match winning position at 8-174.

CY 176
GGS 8/174
Cole 0
Richmond 0

Headon is forced to depart just 3 runs shy of a win stumped for a game changing 64(42). GGS are so very close to winning it all but now more than ever they cannot afford to lose their concentration@APS_Sport

— GGS_Cricket (@CricketGGS) March 18, 2023

Needing three runs for victory with two wickets in hand, GGS lost another wicket, adding to the tense finish.

To clinch the win, Robinson smacked a ball through the covers to see his side over the line in emphatic fashion.

GGS director of sport Paul LaCava was stoked with the achievement.

“It’s certainly exciting for the school,” LaCava said.

“It’s one of the big premiership titles to get because it’s a really difficult one to win.

“With all the variations in terms of weather between different parts of Victoria with Greater Melbourne and Geelong, and then you take into account, you got two different formats of the game in Term 4 and Term 1.

“And different kids coming and going within that time as well, so it’s a certainly a difficult one to get.

“We have obviously been close before in the last couple of years.

“So it was certainly great to be able to get it all on Saturday with another round to go so we can rest a bit easier.”

CULTURE IS KEY

GGS skipper Melville was most pleased with his side’s culture in their triumphant campaign.

“I think the culture around the group has been the best thing,” Melville said.

“After the College game, we pretty much went back to training and we knuckled in from there, knowing that we pretty much couldn’t lose another game for the rest of the season.

“So we just locked on.

“We were locked on for the College game but they just had a great two days and that happens in cricket.

“So we just knew if we stayed focused for the rest of the year and put our best foot forward, we would come out on top.”

Geelong Grammar First XI captain Henry Melville. Picture: Geelong Grammar

Melville said the way his side could bounce back from difficult situations was pleasing.

“Whenever we have been down in the dumps and teams have been on top of us, the way we have been able step up and take the 10 wickets or make the runs,” he said.

“I think at different times, we have needed that and it doesn’t really come down to an individual which is so good about our team.

“Everyone chips in and when that happens, it makes the culture so much better knowing that everyone can play their role well.

“So I think that that around the group has probably been the best thing.

“Everyone plays their role and the culture is unbelievable around here now.”

THE UNSUNG HEROES

Dean praised the vital contributions of Headon, Charlie Paton and Ned Cole who were players that had their performances overshadowed by the brilliance of Peake and Melville throughout the season.

“They’re the guys that actually win you the tight games and they are the guys who are going to get you over the line in a grand final type game,” Dean said.

“And that came to fluorescent with Jack Headon on the weekend, and he did it against Caulfield and I think he did it against St Kevin’s and there might be another time.

“There have been three or four instances that Jack has come in and played a vital role.

“For him to get 64 off 42 balls on the weekend and take the game right away from Carey when they were in the box seat.

“If you take his innings out on the weekend, there is no way we win that game.”

We were privileged today to have Corey Ogle (Cuthbertson ‘11) on hand pregame to deal out baggy blue caps and sage advice to our three debutants, Sam Lalor, Josh Lindsay and Charlie Paton. pic.twitter.com/aOjJyMpc5y

— GGS_Cricket (@CricketGGS) February 3, 2023

Dean also credited Year 10 spinning all-rounder Paton for his unbeaten knock of 36 against Caulfield to get his side to a defendable score of 156 as well as his three-fa against Scotch.

“His contribution as well throughout the year has been quite pivotal,” he said about Paton.

Dean also mentioned the season of opening bowler Cole which saw the medium pacer take 19 wickets from eight matches.

“If you don’t get these sorts of contributions from these sorts of guys, you won’t win,” he said.

“The superstars need these guys.

“These guys make a team, it is fantastic to see.”

OLIVER PEAKE THE MAESTRO

Dean was full of praise for Peake who is leading the competition for wickets with 27 and coming third in the aggregate runs with 494 with one round to go.

“Peakey, you couldn’t ask for much more from him,” he said.

“I think he is a 16-year-old kid.

“The weight of expectation is what amazes me to carry that at such a young age.

“Obviously, how well he performs week in week out, you talk about weight of expectation from other people.

“You’re trying as a coach to rid him of that. You want to take that weight off as best you can.

“To perform as consistently as he does at that young age is remarkable really, especially with the bat.

Oliver Peake. Picture: Mark Wilson

“With the ball, he just wheels away, no one can really hit him.

“He is quite smart with change ups and he has even added a leg spin wrong-un.

“It is a joy to watch as a coach and to have someone of that talent in your team.

“He probably has almost 30 wickets now as an off-spinner on these flat wickets in the APS.

“To do it with the ball is probably as special as his batting to be honest.”

MELVILLE THE ‘EXCEPTIONAL’ LEADER

While the GGS First XI were without skipper Melville on the weekend, due to a knee injury he sustained at footy pre-season training, the brilliant contribution of the youngster can’t go without a mention.

The wicketkeeper-bat has scored two centuries for the season so far, tallying 308 runs, the 14th most in the competition.

Coach Dean was stoked with his success and work as skipper.

“Henry has been great,” he said.

“He has shouldered a massive workload.

“He is the captain, he is the keeper and he was opening the batting for most of the season.

“He is quite calm Henry, he is not an emotional guy which is great to have as a leader.

“He stays pretty even and he keeps everyone in check, which in a couple of tight games we have had, to have that calming influence over the group has been great.

“Before Christmas, he was on fire and he did get that hundred in the last game against Scotch.

Congratulations Skipper! Henry Melville 103no seals the deal on a fantastic win for GGS in emphatic style, retaining the Tait Cup in the process. #165yearsofhistorypic.twitter.com/y45ftEDAfI

— GGS_Cricket (@CricketGGS) March 4, 2023

“For a kid to do that, I explained to him, no one in the world would do what he does.

“No one keeps, captains and opens the batting especially in the longer format of the game.

“He has shouldered a hell of a lot for a 17-year-old (who just turned 18), so for a guy to carry that load is exceptional really.”

CRICKET WIN IS A SCHOOL WIN

LaCava said the premiership feat brought great pride to the school and also gave a sense of fulfilment for past players and officials who came close to ultimate glory.

“It’s certainly a great achievement especially for a school that’s got a smaller population,” he said.

“To be able to win a boys premiership is really difficult at anytime hence why it gives the school great pride in how we are going.

“And within the school population as well, a sporting program at any APS school and particularly within Geelong Grammar, is an important part of who we are and what it represents.

Geelong Grammar has won the APS cricket 2022-23 premiership. Pictured is (L-R) teacher in charge Jye Hearps, co-coach Matt Gunther, players, assistant coach Charles McCartin and team manager Matthew Walsh with the Tait Cup following their Round 9 win. Co-coach Shaun Dean is absent. Picture: Supplied.

“It is important that we have been able to have that success.

“I mean winnings not everything, but obviously there is that a greater sense of pride when you do actually win silverware.

“It gives you that opportunity to be able to celebrate and probably acknowledge as much as anything else.

“The past players, the teams and coaches that have been through and all those people who have contributed, to not just your cricket premiership, but your whole school sporting program.

“Because in the end, your cricket premiership or any premiership is about your whole sporting program in terms of how everyone is going and that sense of progress and belonging, and having a belief in terms of winning.

“So it effects positively across the whole program.”

With the GGS First XI only losing two Year 12 players heading into next season, coach Dean has set his sights on going back-to-back in 2024 in what would be the third time the school has ever achieved consecutive cricket premierships.