Pine Lodge’s Dayne Webber reflects on the ultimate day out

While on the bowling side of things, there is no more satisfying feeling than taking a five-wicket haul and raising the ball aloft in similar style to Australian legend Glenn McGrath.

These feats are what the average cricketer strives for and they do happen with regular frequency across associations like Cricket Shepparton.

What is incredibly rare though is achieving both in the same day, which is what happened to Pine Lodge stalwart Dayne Webber in his club’s D-grade clash against Shepparton United last Saturday.

Coming in at number three, the skipper dominated proceedings from his first ball, smashing a whopping 112 (which included 13 fours and eight sixes) to see his team to a handsome total of 8-287.

He then quickly backed up with ball in hand, opening the attack with devastating effect to take an extraordinary 5-10 for the Lodgers to roll a hapless United for just 22.

Reflecting on what was an incredible day at the office, Webber said the match was quite a surreal one.

“It was a bit of a weird game because Shepparton United were very undermanned, when the game was supposed to start they only had six players and then we waited a bit and they finally got eight,” Webber said.

“And we have a pretty strong side, so we were quite confident going into the game, but not in my wildest dreams did I think it would turn out the way it did.

“I’ve made a few centuries and taken a few five-fors, but to do it in the same day, I dare say that will never happen to me again.”

Although confidence was high leading into the match given the state of the opposition, Webber also knew he could not take the situation lightly as he eyed a big score.

Heading out to the middle of Kialla West Recreation Reserve with his team delicately placed at 1-18, he explained how he went about attacking his innings.

“After a few weeks batting down the order I was back up to number three, the spot I love batting the most, and my head was just in a good space when I walked out to the middle,” he said.

“The Kialla West pitch is very bouncy which also suits my game style and I just got my eye in early and put the bad ball away.”

Quickly getting on top of the United attack, Webber was able to breeze past the half-century mark where he came to the realisation that the fifth ton of his career could be on the cards.

“When I first went out there I didn’t really expect that much and just hoped I’d make a few runs, but then went past 50 and felt really good, so thought I should really knuckle down because I’ve got a great chance to make a century,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter who you play, centuries don’t come around too often because all it take is one mistake and you’re out.

“So once I made the century it was a fantastic feeling and to contribute to the team’s big score it was really good.”

A man filled with confidence after his feats with the bat, he made the decision to ride the momentum and give himself the new ball.

Steaming in against a weakened United batting unit, he reflected on what was one of the most devastating spells of the D-grade season to date.

“They (United) weren’t really trying to win, more-so they just wanted to stay out there as long as they could,” he said.

“But once I got the first two I thought I was on for a fair haul and the boys really helped me out by taking some brilliant catches.

“At the end of the day I just put the ball on the spot and hoped they made the mistakes which they did.”

But while the on-field feats were special in their own right, what made the day extra special was he got to share it with family members Wayne, Tanner and Beauden.

“I absolutely love being able to play with family and the rest of the boys as well, we are all just best mates,” he said.

“So having days like last Saturday, it does make it all the more special having those guys around to share it with.”