WANDELLA broke its Northern District Cricket Association B Grade premiership hoodoo on Saturday, overcoming a slow start to record a 19-run win against Nondies.
Top-order batsmen from both teams were constrained by accurate bowling.
Wandella’s middle-order broke the shackles with young-gun Sam Radcliffe reaching 49 not out at the end of 40 overs to help the Bombers to 5/156.
Nondies suffered a blow when opening batsman Andy Rigg fell cheaply after skying a ball high off the bat.
Toby Gray and Matt Page, who took four wickets, were deadly accurate with the ball and Nondies’ top batsmen failed to regularly penetrate the slow Riverside Park outfield.
Regular dismissals cruelled their chances, but there was still hope with three wickets in hand and five overs to go.
The Bombers skittled the lower order to leave Nondies 19 runs sky of victory.
Sam Radcliffe’s efforts with the bat and ball earned him the umpires’ votes for the best player.
Wandella captain, Luke Murray described the victory as “four years in the making.”
“We were able to score and retain wickets, which was a bonus,” he said.
“Our bowlers were accurate and managed to get through their line-up.”
It was announced after the game that Wandella will field two B Grade sides in the competition next season.
