And as quick as it was to start, the season of the Margaret River Hawks Cricket Club is now over, after an ultimately heartbreaking weekend saw the A grade season, and the club's season, come to an end.
Saturday saw the Hawks A grade host Dunsborough at the glorious Gloucester Park in a setting that must ask the question of why aren't all finals played here.
Losing the toss, the Hawks were sent into the field with 14-year-old Darcy Bailey, making his A grade debut. Strong B grade performances and consistent training forced his selection in this do or die match.
Grant Garstone struck early, dismissing Andrich for 9 with the score on 23, before Aaron Thomas dismissed Aaron Mott and Matt Jamieson in quick succession to have the opposition 3 for 32.
When Phil Wats was out LBW to Rumesh Silva, Dunsborough were in serious trouble at 4 for 41.
Enter the skipper, Nick Ritchie and import Mickey Walker.
These two looked solid and gradually took the score up to 77, but this is where the innings unravelled, with Walker spooning a catch to Chris McLean off Peter Crimp and Silva dismissing Ritchie LBW, the Hawks were on top with the score 6 for 77.
When Jesse Pes was caught by Stuart Roberts for a duck, Thomas had his 4 th wicket and the Hawks were set 96 runs for victory.
A complete bowling effort from the Hawks continued their good pressure from the season.
Thomas, 4 for 19 from 7.3 overs was the stand out, while Rumesh Silva's 9 overs, 5 maidens 2 for 5 was exceptional.
Stuart Roberts with the safest hands, picking up 3 catches.
96 runs should have been an easy total to chase, but a final against Dunsborough is normally no gimme. Walker had McLean caught by Pes for 8, with the score 1-17.
This brought the two imports, Stuart Roberts from Wales, and the Sri Lankan Silva, together, and they proceeded to chase these runs down.
A couple of dropped catches helped the Hawks cause, with Silva doing most of the damage, blasting a rapid fire 66 not out.
Roberts, the more relaxed of the two, played a perfect anchoring role, to remain unbeaten on 19, to see the Hawks win by 9 wickets and go into Sunday's game full of confidence.
A special note must be mentioned here, with the turf wicket prepared a perfect example of an ideal cricket wicket.
Fantastic bounce and carry throughout the match, with a little bit of movement early, it then flattened out for the batsmen to take advantage of.
Sightscreens, perfectly mowed outfield.....this oval must be one of the best in the state and all credit must go to Neil and Rumesh for their work.
So, Sunday came along, and with the same team travelling to Barnard Park to take on YOBS, the equation was simple. Win, and we play in a grand final.
Lose, and the season is over. Batting first, the Hawks started shakily, with McLean and Silva both dismissed with the score on 15.
Roberts was joined by Gareth Edmonds, and these two put on 53 before Roberts was controversially given out for 18, caught behind.
Originally given not out by the central umpire, the decision was overturned after the square leg umpire approached the main officiator and Roberts was walking back to the pavilion.
Skipper Shane Joyce then joined Edmonds and these two put on 34 before Edmonds ran himself out for a well made 45 runs.
Grant Garstone, batting at 8, hit 14 off 27 balls, but it was the skipper who anchored the innings again. Joyce playing a beautiful innings of 66 not out, to take the Hawks to a very competitive total of 9/183 from 50 overs.
In reply, the YOBS innings was up and down, with Nayt Colombera dismissed for 8 with the score 16.
Those safe hands of Roberts struck again, catching Thorp and Golding, to have YOBS 3 for 61.
When Dawson and Gilbert were dismissed, the Hawks could sniff a victory with the score being 5 for 82.
The pressure ramped up even more when Piggot was out caught and bowled for a duck as YOBS were reeling at 8 for 103. But this is where the game turned.
Cricket is a funny game, and a game of individuality amongst a team effort. It only takes one player to stand up and be counted and this was Ben Clarke.
The YOBS skipper played an unbelievable innings and took most of the strike to get the home team within earshot of victory.
And when the winning runs were struck, he finished unbeaten on 83, YOBS celebrated and the Hawks were left devastated.
A heartbreaking way for the season to end, but for the Hawks players in all the grades, a lot of respect was earned from the rest of the competition.
It must be remembered, only 3 short seasons ago, the Hawks were struggling on the field, with record losses, and a real lack of numbers had the committee thinking of some drastic ways to continue the club's proud history.
But with some heart to heart meetings, a strong off field drive and some fantastic committee members, the Hawks are firmly heading in the right direction.
This season has had record training numbers all season, with 75 players pulling on the baggy yellow this year.
Our link with the junior cricketers this season was further enhanced all season, and we are looking forward to seeing their growth continue next year.
We even welcomed back some former players to the club while 15 players debuted for our great club.
We thank all players, committee members, families, supporters and sponsors, curator Neil, T20 Mike and bowling coach Billy and everyone else that has help grow the Hawks higher and higher! We will be back bigger and better next season, and hope you can get involved with your local cricket club.
Thank you to Rotary Margaret River
The Margaret River Hawks Cricket Club would like to say a massive thank you to Rotary Margaret River for their donation this year to assist the Hawks in getting Rumesh Silva back to the Nest after a successful 2017/18 season.
Approached at the beginning of the season, Rotary were very forthcoming in their support for the club, and the Hawks are very grateful.
Leaving his wife and two young children back at home in Sri Lanka for over six months, Rumesh made his second trip to Margaret River for this season.
A top order batsman, Silva was also very handy as a slow bowler, with his economy rate one of the best in the competition.
But it can be tough leaving the family behind, and the support of donors such as Rotary can not be underestimated in the Hawks being able to accommodate Rumesh for his season.
A genuinely nice person and great team man, he actually took flight on Monday night to return home after the season's final game on Sunday.
In an increasingly complex world, Rotary maintains a simple philosophy - make friends in your own community and throughout the world.
This is the exact same philosophy that can be found at the Hawks. The ability to create friendships from the common love of cricket is an incredible opportunity.
Thank you Michelle and all at Rotary for what you have done for Rumesh, for the Hawks, and for all you do in the local and wider communities.
