Emergency landing halts game at Inverloch

THERE was no shortage of drama at Inverloch Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon, as a helicopter made an unexpected appearance during the B Grade Division 1 match between Inverloch and Wonthaggi Club.

Early in the afternoon, play came to a halt when emergency services required the ground to act as a landing space for a helicopter airlifting a patient to hospital. Players and spectators watched as the helicopter touched down in the middle of the oval, forcing the match to be delayed for an hour and 15 minutes.

It added another layer of disruption to what has already been a stop-start beginning to the cricket season, after wet weather caused all B and C Grade games to be cancelled the previous weekend. The interruption made it difficult for both sides to build any momentum, though it did not seem to trouble Wonthaggi Club for long once play resumed.

Batting first, Inverloch posted a total of 138 runs from their allotted 40 overs. Captain Shaun Hayes led from the front, scoring 34 runs from 53 balls, while opener David Harris contributed a well-made 31 before being caught by Club’s captain, Sean Roche. Both batsmen found the boundary four times each. 

The wickets for Club were shared around evenly. Roche and Bryce Evans both claimed two each, while Mohamed Ashik Mohamed Nizar also picked up a pair. Chase Adams took one wicket to round out a tidy bowling display that limited Inverloch to a modest total.

When Wonthaggi Club came out to bat, they made relatively light work of the chase, cruising to victory in 25 overs. Stewart Beaumont was the standout performer, smashing 72 runs from 75 balls in a commanding display that included 10 shots that reached the boundary. He was well supported by Gavin Adams, who finished unbeaten on 46 from 49 balls. The pair’s partnership guided Club to a comfortable win, with both men remaining not out at the end.

The Stingrays’ two wickets came courtesy of John Richardson and Matthew Marston.

Speaking after the match, Inverloch captain Shaun Hayes reflected on what has been a challenging start to the season.

“It’s been really good, we’ve had a lot of kids there, which has been fantastic to see,” Hayes said. 

“At the start of the season, it can be harder finding players, but working on our kids each year has been fantastic; it’s kept them around which helps us in these situations.”

Asked about the unusual delay, Hayes said the break had more of an impact mentally than physically.

“I was out there batting at that stage, and I suppose you start feeling good about yourself, then you have an extended break, and you have to get yourself back in,” he said. 

“Play was stopped for an hour and 15 minutes, so it’s a massive break.”

Despite the interruption and the early-season rust, Hayes said his side’s focus remains on development and playing the right way.

“Obviously, finals are always great, that’s always our aim, but overall, it’s about helping our kids learn how to play the game properly and teaching them how to win properly too,” he said.