Number 21

An excellent chasing effort unfortunately goes in vain.

#21: DAMIAN JAMES - 92 vs Pascoe Vale Central. 1st XI Round 13. 2005/06.

Last game of the Home and Away season, Lakes needed to win to make the finals, after winning our 3 previous games. We were playing hard, tough, aggressive cricket after an awful first half of the season. If we made the finals, we were going to cause damage. I’m certain of it.
PVC batted first. At 3/43, Lakes were on top. PVC batsman S Gick on 0, edges a ball. Caught behind. Clearly out. Given not out by the Lakes home umpire!!! Gick goes on to make 80 & PVC end up 7/285. That decision (or non-decision) still remains the most influential incorrect umpiring decision I’ve ever witnessed. Next wicket fell at 112.
Chasing the daunting total of 285, opening bat Damian James gets himself in, and bats, and bats, and bats. The only blemish was running out captain/coach Danny Viani. That went down like a lead balloon & then some. But Jamesy soldiered on making 92, being the 8th wicket to fall. Lakes ended up all out for 252. Season over. But there’s no doubt, this was Jamesy’s finest hour in the blue & gold.