MPCA 2020-21: Tyabb out to snap 21-year First XI premiership drought

Tyabb has a case of grand final fever, with six of its senior cricket teams chasing premiership glory in the MPCA.

Tyabb leg-spinner Paul Nelson has been integral to the Yabbies’ success this season.

Tyabb has broken records even before a ball is bowled on grand final day on Saturday.

With six teams in flag deciders, the Yabbies will become the first MPCA club to have so many senior sides in the big dance in any one season.

Tyabb teams chasing premiership glory are: 1st XI, 2nd XI (Sub District), 4th XI (A3), 5th XI (B2), 7th XI (C3) and 8th XI (C4).

And making the day even more momentous, Tyabb’s firsts will be contesting their first grand final in 21 years when they meet Carrum Downs.

“It’s been one of those years, everything’s fallen our way, we’re very grateful,” Tyabb coach Heath Straughair said.

In his second season at the helm, Straughair has got the entire club pulling in the same direction.

He laughed off suggestions he must be some sort of master coach, instead saying the success was the result of a club-wide effort.

“I’m very, very lucky at the club, I’ve got a lot of support from guys who help out,” he said.

“And there’s just a big buy-in from the group which is important to any successful club, really, to buy into the culture and create that winning feeling.”

Malith Chaturanga has been a splendid recruit for Tyabb.

Tyabb’s last First XI flag was at the turn of the century, in season 1999-2000, when it won the MPCA District title.

This season’s Yabbies, led by the talented Nick Taranto, have been on a mission after bowing out of last season’s semi-finals.

“For the ones, we said to them last year after we lost the semi, ‘next year there are no excuses, we make the granny, otherwise it’s a failed season for us’,” Straughair said.

“Now we’re there and, having beaten Carrum Downs earlier in the year, I think there’s a lot of confidence in the group to get the job done.”

Straughair hopes the lower grade sides can win flags but said the focus was very much on seeing the Yabbies’ ones achieve the ultimate.

“Look I’d love to the see the lower grades win it but I think this season it would be a big success if the ones could win it and get out of Sub District,” he said.

“We’re pretty lucky in the lower grades they’re all saying they want to see the ones have success because it’s been so long.

“It could be the start of something special for the club.”

Tyabb is used to hanging premiership flags on its walls.

The Yabbies’ seconds are playing in their fourth grand final in a row — they’ve won two out of the three they’ve been in — the fifths have won their past three and the fours have won two premierships in a row.

Heath Straughair bowling for Carlisle Park. Picture: Chris Eastman

Straughair has overcome his own setbacks this season.

He was seriously injured in a jet ski accident in December and spent 20 days recovering in the Alfred hospital.

“I dislocated my shoulder, broken nose, broken ribs, collapsed lung,” he said.

A fine opening bowler and handy batsman, Straughair hasn’t played since the accident.

“So this week has been a bit tough, I wish I was out there playing but at the same time I’m pretty happy the boys have got the opportunity, it’s what we play all year for,” he said.

Tyabb secretary Patrick Mathieson said Straughair has done a superb job this season.

“He’s been very impressive this year, managing eight teams,” he said.

“He showed a lot of dedication and commitment to our club to keep putting in and working very hard, where as anyone else might have put the cue in the rack.

“He’s a very empowering coach, keeps it simple, and does a great job of keeping everyone on the same path.”

Former Dandenong keeper Rob Hearn has been terrific for the Yabbies this season.

Tyabb bowler James Holland-Burch in action. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Tyabb’s First XI is strong in all areas, with Taranto (340 runs), Paul Nelson (317), Rob Hearn (298) and Malith Chathuranga (264) leading the batting.

Nelson has enjoyed a fantastic season with the ball also, taking 22 wickets with his spinners and fellow spinner Chathuranga has snared 21 wickets.

The Holland-Burch brothers, Sam and James, have taken 29 wickets between them.

Michael Edwards, whose father Craig played in the last First XI flag, has enjoyed another consistent season with the bat.

Tyabb’s opponent on Saturday, Carrum Downs, has been the benchmark side this seaosn and is out to snap a premiership drought of its own.

The Cougars’ last flag was a quarter of a century ago, in 1995-96.