North Canberra Gungahlin's Mitchell New is bowled by Tuggeranong Vikings bowler Chris Prescott. Photo: Colleen Petch
EIGHT in the first innings, seven in the second, 15 wickets in a single day. The figures of Chris Prescott's once-in-a-lifetime bowling performance are astounding and unlikely to be bettered in the Canberra grade competition for years to come.
Prescott is the toast of Tuggeranong after ripping apart North Canberra-Gungahlin to secure an outright Douglas Cup victory with a day to spare on Saturday.
Norths were bowled out for a paltry 30 and 100, falling four runs shy of forcing Tuggeranong (2-134 dec) to bat again.
Tuggeranong Vikings bowler Chris Prescott took 15 wickets in a day. Photo: Colleen Petch COP
The 27-year-old owned Chisholm Oval with a spectacular display of fast bowling, finishing with the mind-blowing figures of 8-14 and 7-27.
All up, 15 wickets for 41 runs from 27.5 overs.
''Something went right today for a change, extraordinary,'' Prescott said.
''It still hasn't sunk in yet … my girlfriend doesn't believe me.
''She's back in Perth, so I've been trying to get a hold of her all afternoon.''
Records tumbled all over the place, including:
■ Prescott's 8-14 was the best bowling figures for Tuggeranong, and his match figures of 15-41 are the fifth-best in Canberra first-grade history;
■ Norths' first innings of 30 - which included seven ducks - was the lowest in the club's history;
■ It's the first time in Canberra first-grade since 1925-26 and the second overall that a bowler has claimed 15 wickets in a single day; and,
■ It's the first time in more than 70 years and the third overall that a two-day match has finished in a single day.
Prescott's amazing feat came a month to the day after Queanbeyan batsman Jono Dean belted an unbeaten triple century, the first player to score 300 in a single day and the second-highest individual total overall.
The big right-armer moved from Western Australia in the off-season to chase an opportunity to play with the ACT Comets.
While he's made only the solitary appearance in the Futures League, he has been an instant hit with Tuggeranong and captain Michael Wescombe.
''I've never seen a bowler do that,'' Wescombe said. ''The pitch didn't have much preparation in it as you would've liked, it was a bit soft early, and Norths were down a few guys, but it shouldn't take away from the way Chris bowled.
''It was an outstanding effort, we were all just standing there going … another one, and another one.''
Prescott has been among the competition's leading wicket takers this season, but it pales in comparison to how he tore through a depleted Norths outfit.
''My plan was to bowl it full and get the ball to swing because it was a bit of a juicy wicket,'' he said.
''I knew after the first innings I had the chance to get a bag, and that's the way it panned out.''
Norths finished a forgettable season on the bottom of the ladder, while Tuggeranong's stunning victory catapulted it to a surprise minor premiership.
Tuggeranong has a week to recover before lining up for the semi-finals. Their opponents will be decided next week, with the match between Wests/UC and Eastlake on track for a draw after the opening day was washed out at Jamison.
Queanbeyan is already assured of the fourth and last finals spot with its match with ANU evenly poised. ANU will resume at 4-62 in reply to Queanbeyan's 194.
Meanwhile, Ginninderra (154) is in the box seat to end its season with an outright win, Weston Creek (93 and 2-26) still trailing by 35 runs in their second innings with eight wickets in hand.
John Douglas Cup: TUGGERANONG 2-134dec bt NORTHS 30 and 100 at Chisholm; QUEANBEYAN 194 vs ANU 4-62 at ANU North; GINNINDERRA 154 vs WESTON CREEK 93 and 2-26 at Stirling. WESTS/UC vs EASTLAKE washed out at Jamison.
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