By DAVID NAGEL
THERE are a number of reasons why Pakenham’s newest cricket hero Sam Webster had been brooding in recent weeks, dirty on himself and a bit grumpy as he prepared to take on Catani on Saturday.
In his last three hits, he had been caught off a waste-high full toss, his captain and cousin Scott had declared on him when he was 91 not out, and to top things off he nicked a ball he should have left alone at his most recent outing.
Well those frustrations are now a thing of the past after Slamming Sam smashed 211, a new club record for the Lions, against the Blues in their Sub-District clash at Toomuc Reserve.
“I’ve been brooding for a month and I was primed up for it that’s for sure,” the 33-year-old said after his epic innings.
Webster wasted no time asserting his authority on the Blues’ attack, hitting a three from the first ball of the match and then taking 14 from the second over.
From there, he was simply irresistible, with five-and-a-half ounces of red leather and the middle of his bat becoming the best of pals for the day. The hallmarks of his career-defining knock were 30 fours, and one towering six that brought up his 150.
“I had a purple patch when I was at school, and hit a couple of centuries there, but that’s the best I’ve hit them for a long time,” he said. Webster also had a partner in crime, with fellow opener Josh Gonzales (110) making a century of his own in a stunning 301-run opening stand.
His magical innings eclipsed his premiership team mate Ben Maroney, who smashed 201 not out against Nyora back in January 2010. Webster said to hold such a record at a club so dear to his heart made it all the more special.
“I was lucky enough to play in the last two of the three flags the club won (1998/99 to 2000/01) when it was really strong,” he said.
“To play in pretty average junior sides and then play with blokes like Amal (Dalugoda), Benny (Maroney) and Mick (Torney) in senior premierships, it made you realise to not take the good days for granted. “It’s very special, to shake the hand of a champion like Eddie Lewis, and see the smile on his face, and see what it meant to others after the game that was probably the most special part of the day. You never set out as a junior thinking you’ll be fortunate enough to hold a record like this … but I’ll take it.”
