BARHAM/KOONDROOK and Leitchville/Gunbower claimed Northern District Cricket Association’s two junior grade titles determined during grand finals held at the weekend.
The border side held on for a 14-run win against the previously undefeated under 17s defending premiers, Wandella, whilst Leitchville/Gunbower claimed successive under 14s premierships with an 111-run victory against Barham/Koondrook.
In the under 17s decider, a 76-run third-wicket partnership between player of the match, Clay Davis (54 not out) and Matt Thomas (47) helped Barham/Koondrook recover from being 2/15 to posting 159 off 38.1 overs.
Liam Radcliffe claimed three wickets for the Bombers, with the border side losing its last seven wickets for 22 runs.
Wandella was well placed to record a win in its reply, with Shannon Burton (50 retired not out) and Toby Gray (29) at the crease with the side needing a further 70 runs to win with eight wickets in hand.
However, tight bowling from Thomas Guerra (two wickets) and accurate throwing that led to three late run-outs saw the Bombers end its 40 overs at 8/145.
In the weekend’s other grand final, player of the match, Liam Keath (53 retired not out) and Bailey Taylor (50 retired not out) helped Leitchville/Gunbower score 4/216 off 43 overs in the opening day of play.
Sam Cruse (43) was the best of Barham/Koondrook’s batsmen in Sunday’s reply, with Jasper Wilson Keir taking two wickets in the hosts’ all-round bowling effort that saw the border side dismissed for 105 in the 42nd over.
