Griffins delighted at step into the big time

THE one major benefit of the switch to a conference-structure Evening League has been the opportunity for clubs to force their way into Premier One. First it was Sylvans, then Deloitte and now HSBC Griffins have been added to the list. And just like their two predecessors, they cannot wait to taste top-flight cricket.

Captain Jeremy Sharratt was delighted at the prospect of promotion following the play-off win over Salemites on Thursday evening.

'It has been our best season ever, that was for certain, whether it was win, lose or draw in the play-off,' he said.

'This was a one-off game. We had beaten them before this season but they had also beaten us and we always have very close games - this was no different.

'We have never been in the first division before. That is what this year has been about.

'Now we can look forward to next year. I think we will struggle, but who can say what will happen?'

And then came the all-important question - were new signings needed for 2005?

'That's something the guys have to decide,' Sharratt said.

'It is a difficult scenario because you can either look to strengthen to compete or you can reward the guys who have got you there by giving them the chance of playing in the top division.'

But where there's a winner, there has to be a loser.

There are not many teams that can say they lost only once during their league programme and not won the title but, unfortunately for them, Salemites now fall into that category.

It was an internal mix-up that cost them dearly as failing to provide umpires for a GCA Trophy match saw them lose two points and put them level with Griffins at the end of the season.

But skipper Steve Le Ray remained diplomatic on that matter.

'It is a shame that it was for a weekend competition and the Evening League is affected, but it's the rules and you play by them. It is one of those things,' he said.

'It was interesting to think we lost one game all season and that was by one run but we still have to try again next season.'

In the play-off, his side batted first and posted 88 from their 17 overs before an onslaught from Stuart Lloyd-Jones and Damian Wallen helped Griffins reach their target with 3.4 overs to spare.

'They deserved it. They played better than us on the day,' said Le Ray.

He went on to wish Griffins all the best for their first Premier One campaign.

'Fair play to these guys. They are a really good bunch, they enjoy playing together and are really sporting,' Le Ray said.

'It would have been nice to have gone up; we would have given it a real good go, but they were better than us when it counted.'