Young Siding Swamprats claim Pigs Arse Shield after beating Elleker Locos in social cricket grand final

For 23 years avid cricketers have been enjoying the game in a more relaxed situation to the one most are presented with in weekly competitions on a Saturday. Batters can’t be dismissed on their first ball, a quiet beer or two is encouraged, LBW is virtually outlawed and everyone gets to roll the arm over in a 33-overs per innings match. The South Coast Social Cricket competition has been an enjoyable way for those who are older to still participate in the game so many love. The competition consists of three teams, the Young Siding Swamprats, Elleker Locos and Denmark Muckrakers, who play for the coveted Pigs Arse Shield. The Swamprats and Locos faced off in the Pigs Arse decider at Elleker Oval on March 19. The Locos were chasing a fifth straight grand final win but it was the Swamprats who prevailed as they claimed the silverware for the first time since 2015-16. After winning the toss and batting the Locos were in a strong position at 1-94 after 17 overs thanks to Nick Lloyd and Cale Priddle when a “lengthy” drinks break was taken. The worm turned for the Swamprats after the resumption as veteran and five-time club cricketer of the year Andrew LeFort produced an inspirational spell of bowling. LeFort snared 4-5 from his three overs and his teammates bowled six maidens as the Locos were dismissed for 141 with one over left in their innings. With runs on the board in a final there was plenty of confidence from the Locos at the change of innings, but the Swamprats openers ensured they made a good start in the chase. Pushing singles and scoring the odd boundary, the Swamprats reached 3-71 at drinks. However, three quick wickets after that pushed the game back in the Locos’ favour as the batting side fell to 6-101 and had plenty of work to do. The Swamprats reached the final over needing two runs to win and with only two wickets in hand, leaving the healthy crowd hushed. Asit Gandhi proved the hero, having a mighty swing at a ball, and they scrambled home for two runs as the ground erupted with the Swamprats declared the Pigs Arse champions. Players range in ages from early 20s up to 68 and under competition rules each player including the wicketkeeper must bowl three overs and batters retire at 35 runs. Long-standing Swamprats president Mark Wylde said the competition was rich in tradition. “It’s a really good thing, there is a great vibe around the competition,” Wylde said. “There is a lot of respect from the young fellas towards the older guys when they are bowling. “Everyone having to bowl makes it quite inclusive, and we get guys come along that have never played cricket in their lives and after a few years still can’t bowl or bat properly, but it’s not about that. “The social side is massive and even with COVID we still had a lot of supporters get along. “There are three teams and we’ve had a team from Albany and a team from Mt Barker who have dropped out, but the Porongurups have been playing against us in the last five or six years and are keen to come in and join the competition.”