Although Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League is still in its infancy following the conclusion of its third season on Sunday, leg-spin wiz Michael Archer can be considered a stalwart.
Archer, who honed his craft at Tatura, is one of the most experienced players when it comes to the GVBBL and he has been there for every step of the Hurley’s Hotel Hounds journey.
He relied on his Twenty20 experience and craft to get his side over the line in the one-sided final, as he spun his way — and his team — to glory.
Archer had a field day as he produced impressive figures of 4-9 from four overs with Jarvis Delahey Crushers’ batters unable to come up with the answers against his bowling.
The Greenvale Kangaroos talent even displayed some magic in the field as he got a fingernail to a straight drive from Mitch Brett which ricocheted into the stumps to dismiss Jarrod Wakeling for a diamond duck.
Speaking after the seven-wicket triumph, the Hounds marquee said there was plenty of relief after his side ended a string of runner-up finishes.
“After working in Kyabram for the past few years and having a lot of Friday knock-off beers at Hurley’s it’s nice to finally give ‘Sheppo’ (Brenton Sheppard) something back in return other than my money,” he said with a laugh.
“No, in all seriousness it’s nice to finally win one. I suppose you don’t play in these tournaments to finish second all the time, so it’s nice to win.
“There’s a few of us who have played each year now.
“It’s nice to sort of keep the same side all the way through and achieve a bit of success together. There’s always some blokes you get along with, but you don’t get a chance to play with them, so it’s nice to achieve something alongside them.”
Archer’s quick-thinking to get a glove on the returned shot which saw Wakeling depart was followed by a delivery which left Brett in all sorts and crashed into the right-hander’s castle.
The former Tatura A-grade captain was suddenly staring at a potential team hat-trick.
Always unassuming, Archer gave a glimpse into his mindset during his spree of wickets.
“I didn’t think too much about it to be honest. I was more worried about it not bouncing twice or rolling down the pitch,” he said.