Sport
19 December, 2023
Out but back ... and Nick's loving it
By CHRIS EARL LOUD cheers came from the pavilion at Kingower cricket ground when Nick Leach made his first score in almost two seasons. The Kingower batsman had a huge smile on his face as an irregular gait took him between the wickets. Leach’s...
By CHRIS EARL
LOUD cheers came from the pavilion at Kingower cricket ground when Nick Leach made his first score in almost two seasons.
The Kingower batsman had a huge smile on his face as an irregular gait took him between the wickets.
Leach’s grin widened with two more runs and not even a dismissal could diminish the achievement on his Upper Loddon Cricket Association return.
More than 18 months after being seriously injured in a car accident, Leach said: “I’m loving it. This is better than anything.”
Leach had spent more than three months in hospital after the May 18, 2022, accident on the Bridgewater-Raywood Road that left him paralysed down the right side for three weeks.
“There’s still lots of challenges ... running and hand-eye co-ordination still have a way to go,” said Leach who continues intensive rehabilitation session.
“I’ve still got to get my right side up to speed. There’s a long way to go.”
Leach had taken the field the previous week in Kingower’s clash with Boort Yando but was not required to bat.
Last weekend’s match against Wedderburn had Leach batting at No 8 in the order on Kingower’s home ground.
Leach’s dismissal was the third by Wedderburn Band’s Finn Turnbull and came as he pushed for a quick single only to have the ball head straight to middle stump.
More cheers came from team mates and opponents as Leach headed back to the pavilion with another round of congratulations from players and club supporters.
An over later, Kingower’s innings was over with youngsters Riley Murphy and Ryder Smith unbeaten at the wicket.
Will Deason had top-scored for the home side making 51 while Adam Postle was the unluckiest of Wedderburn’s bowlers, with four maidens in his seven-over spell but several dropped catches in the field. Jimmy Van de Wetering claimed a wicket and conceded 12 runs in his three-over patch.
Wedderburn was well on the way to victory thanks to an unbeaten 51 from opening bat Will Holt when rain forced the match to be declared a draw.
The Band had been 2/20 until Will and Brad Holt teamed up for a 82-run partnership.
Kyle Simpson had the most impact with the ball for Kingower, dismissing Van de Wetering and Oscar Lockhart cheaply.
And despite the rain, it was Nick Leach who kept the biggest smile all day - he had been out but is now back.