Jordan Moran’s unbeaten double century in the weekend’s RSL-Whitney Cup has been described as “an innings for the ages”.
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The incredible knock remained the talk of the cricket community well after the weekend’s match as people trawled the archives and history books in order to find any effort which could match it.
Michael Kempston had previously been the last person to make a century in an RSL-Whitney Cup grand final when he blasted Newtown to victory in 2002/03 but no other player in current competition records has ever made a double ton in a decider.
In terms of grand final performances, the one person who can challenge Moran for the title of the greatest is Jarrod Simpson.
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Simpson produced an equally staggering effort in the 1998/99 grand final and led South Dubbo, the team Moran pummeled on Saturday, to victory over Newtown.
Simpson made 102 for Souths and helped his side post 283 in the 1998/99 final.
But that wasn’t the end of it as he then came out and bagged 5/60 from 18 overs in a tremendous all-round performance.
Current Dubbo and District Cricket Association president Jeff Shanks remembers that game all to well.
“That was my very first game in first grade,” Shanks recollected.
At 16 years of age then, Shanks was called into captain Andrew Zell’s side after Trent Hemsworth opted to play representative rugby league.
Shanks saw Simpson’s epic performance firsthand while he also saw Moran in action on Saturday.
“It’s hard to separate,” he said of the two efforts.
“You’d have to think a 200 because it put the game completely out of reach of the other team. He dominated.
“Even if the other Rugby batsmen failed and he made 214 of 340 or so, Souths still would have struggled.”
While Moran single-handedly set up his side’s title win, Simpson got his team over the line against a Newtown outfit which never gave in.
Simpson came to the crease with his side at 2/81 and went on to make his century while with the ball, he removed key Newtown batsmen Adam O’Sullivan (65) and Greg Rummans (44), who had got their side to 2/103.
“Choppy (Simpson) got a hundred and set us up and then Adam O’Sullivan was batting well and Newtown was on top and then Choppy got a couple of wickets and it all went from there.”
Kempston then became the next to reach triple figures on the biggest day of the season when he made a match-winning century for Newtown in 2002/03.
Kempston smashed 111 not out as the Tigers chased down RSL-Colts’ total of 252 with six wickets to spare.
Stuart Webster’s 171 in a preliminary final for Newtown against CYMS long before the performances of Moran and Simpson has been touted as the highest finals score in Dubbo prior to the weekend.
Much like Shanks and others were looking back at efforts like that of Webster, there’s no doubt Moran’s performance will be spoke about long after he brings and end to one of the most glittering careers in Dubbo cricket.
“It’s one of the great grand final knocks,” Shanks said.
“It had people searching through the grey matter to find someone who’s matched or bettered it.
“Jordan’s innings was an innings for the ages.”
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
