VTCA: The big stories emerging from Imperials success
A teenage sensation attracting Premier Cricket interest and two big name recruits helping to “restore the fabric of the club” are among the stories to have emerged from Williamstown Imperials premiership.
Local Sport
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The Williamstown Imperials premiership team has plenty of stories to tell.
Whether it’s the way Andrew Hendry led the team in his first season as captain-coach, the form of Tom Burton in his debut campaign with the club or the emergence of 15-year-old wicketkeeper Oscar Florentine.
Everyone who took to the field in the weekend’s grand final win over Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s each has their own to tell.
Florentine showed experience beyond his years in the run chase, a patient 22 runs off 120 balls, after Imperials had fallen to 3-19 in the run chase alongside Hendry (61 off 141) to put his side in a position of chasing down the Lions total.
It’s understood one Victorian Premier Cricket club has kept an eye on the teenage sensation throughout the season.
Club president Michael Skinner gave an insight into Florentine who he played alongside in the club’s Second XI last season.
“He’s got a big future ahead of him,” he declared.
“When he was playing in the twos for most of last year, I would open the batting with him and one day we were walking out to the middle and asked to face the first ball. Not many experienced guys want to take the first ball but for a 14-year-old to do that says a lot about him.
“I think he’s got the right temperament to have a good career. He batted for almost two hours and really helped set up the day with Hendo. His glovework throughout the season has been excellent as well.
“He’s a junior through and through at our club and you can’t help be amazed by what he’s done.”
It was only fitting Tom Burton hit the winning runs after a dominant season across all forms.
He hit over 700 runs at an average of 60.67 and took 20 wickets at 12.85.
Imperials had chased his signature for two years and his maiden season with the club couldn’t have delivered more.
“We knew he was a bloody good cricketer when we signed him but he delivered more than you could probably have expected,” Skinner said.
“We knew him and Hendo went a long way back when we signed the latter before last season. He had been involved in our junior program before so he knew what we were about as a club.
“They’ve been a big part of this group who are helping to restore the fabric of the club and rebuild some of the comrade.
“I think he’s one of the best cricketers I’ve seen play with our club in the 25 years I have been involved.”
Imperials did not drop a game after going down in the opening round against Point Cook in October last year.
Now Skinner said the club is aiming to continue building.
“Even when they lost the first game, you got a feeling something special was building with the way the boys socialised after the game,” he said.
“It’s why they’ve been so successful, they’ve been willing to play for each other. It’s part of our club goal of trying to attract the right people.
“The game on the weekend was really hard fought and the type of cricket you want to see in a final.”
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