Bulls’ coach faces former teammates in BCA grand final

In a twist to the Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts season’s end – with the last chapter to be written – Davies will be up against the team he used to coach before moving to a coaching role with Brown Hill this summer.

Davies is a Bull now and his focus is on securing the Bulls a premiership – a feat he was unable to achieve in two finals and a semi from three seasons leading Napoleons-Sebastopol.

But he still likes the Napoleons-Sebastopol players and there is still that feeling of wanting them to do well.

“I’m feeling all right about playing them. They’re still really good mates, all of them, and I’m glad they made it,” Davies said.

His good rapport with rival captain-coach Carmen Mapatuna was evident when The Courier  asked the pair to pose together with a shield.

Davies won the EJ Cleary Medal as the BCA’s best and fairest in his first season with Naps-Sebas in 2011-12. 

Back issues troubled his time on the field last season and, in general, Davies was ready for a new challenge.

Mapatuna acknowledged the team’s loss in Davies but said his players were more focused on playing their best than worrying solely about Davies in this four-day match.

“We still miss him at the club but he’s moved on with his cricket and we have to move forward, too,” Mapatuna said.

Davies moved from a younger, developing Napoleons-Sebastopol side for the chance to work with experienced Bulls, such as Australian international fast bowler Shane Harwood, in developing juniors.

The Bulls had to make big plays to get into finals and charged into the four with an outright win against Darley in the final round that knocked out reigning premier Mount Clear.

It was trademark Bulls’ style – a powerful bid.

“My first year has been really good,” Davies said. “I always felt Brown Hill was one of the stronger sides in the competition and certainly hoped we would be in finals.

“We’ve been a bit up and down and had to win every game in the end there to make finals, but I felt if we did enough we could get there.”

Frustratingly for Davies, he was sidelined for the final two rounds with a broken wrist sustained in a collision with a rival wicketkeeper.

Davies had his cast removed a fortnight ago and, with solid rehabilitation, was back in action for the Bulls’ convincing semi-final win against Wendouree last week.

Naps-Sebas is hunting the club’s maiden club firsts premiership.

Brown Hill is chasing redemption for missing one last season.

Undoubtedly, Davies will walk off the field with mixed feelings whatever the result.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au