Sport
Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League grand final changed from Deakin Reserve to Windridge Oval
A significant change to this year’s Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League grand final has been announced.
For the first time in the competition’s history, next month’s decider will not be held at Deakin Reserve, with a new location set to host.
Windridge Oval, Rochester Cricket Club’s home ground, has been given the nod for the blockbuster between Hurley’s Hotel Hounds and Bendigo-based Sporties Spitfires on February 11.
Rochester Cricket Club president Brendan Martin was delighted to attain the hosting rights to the final, promising a mint deck for players to go big on.
“We’re pretty chuffed to be considered. I think it’s come from the Ky boys putting our name forward, so we’re pretty happy that they have a reasonably good opinion of our facility and our wicket,” Martin said.
“It’s a good opportunity for our club to showcase our facilities.
“We’ve got a very good cricket facility; Windridge Oval is a very good batting wicket. The ground is in very good nick.
“The oval’s a good size, the ground is reasonably quick and we’ve had some good one-day scores there this year around the 200-220 mark.”
As neither one of this year’s finalists hails from Shepparton, the decision to play at a neutral middle ground was a no-brainer, according to GVBBL organiser Dave D’Elia.
The heavy impact on Rochester by recent floods also factored into the ground change, with the injection of catering and bar money made as a meaningful gesture to provide some relief to the club.
Because, as Martin indicated, it hasn’t always been easy on the recovery front.
“It’s been challenging with player numbers; there’s been a lot of distractions,” he said.
“There has been a lot of other priorities around town for people like housing, gardens and businesses, but we’re fairly upbeat.”
Melbourne Renegades have donated a child’s jersey to be raffled off on the day, with proceeds going to Rochester Cricket Club.
And, like the Echuca-hosted third round, the final will feature a crowd catch promotion.
The first person in the stands to hold on to a six in the first innings will pocket $250, with the promo repeating in the second innings.
· The GVBBL grand final between Hurley’s Hotel Hounds and Sporties Spitfires starts at 1pm on February 11 at Windridge Oval.