One spectator has had a day out after they won a cash prize for taking the first crowd catch of the match in the GVBBL on Sunday.
The prize was $500 cash and was offered to the first person to take a crowd catch during the Hounds and SRP Mud Dogs game.
19-year-old Sam Deola took the catch before celebrations broke out between his group of mates, with the crowd erupting as well.
Everyone in attendance was aware of Deola and his friends standing on the boundary at extra cover.
This was because a six was hit by the same player - Hurley Hotel Hounds batter Anthony McMahon - straight to one of Deola’s mates three balls earlier, only for it to be dropped to the dismay of the group.
After collecting his reward, Deola mentioned how he nearly let the prize slip through his fingertips too.
“One of the boys had already put a catch to ground, so we were a bit on edge,” he said.
“Luckily the ball came our way again. I had two goes on it, but fortunately it stuck.
“One of our mates is playing in one of the games, so we heard about it (the prize) through him.
“We thought we would come and support him while positioning ourselves in a potential catching position.”
Deola’s decision to attend the GVBBL game paid dividends, but it wasn’t the only part of the day that the Echuca local enjoyed as he spoke about his experience with the GVBBL.
“It (GVBBL) has been really good,” he said.
“There’s not much cricket in this format out this way, so it’s been good to come down, sit back and watch the game with mates.”
The final of the GVBBL tournament will be played between the Hounds and Sporties Spitfires at Deakin Reserve on Sunday, February 11, at 2pm.