A DOMINANT top-order batting performance and wickets at key moments helped Leitchville/Gunbower claim a third consecutive Northern District Cricket Association A Grade premiership.
The minor premiers were too strong for Nondies, producing an eight-wicket win in front of a large crowd at Gunbower on Saturday.
Electing to bat first, Nondies struggled to put together any significant partnerships, posting 8/155 from the side’s 45 overs.
Harrison Keely scored close to half of the visitors’ runs, with his 72-run innings from 89 balls including four boundaries and two sixes.
Yet it was the bowling efforts of the home side that gave the eventual premiers the advantage.
Man of the match, James Keath took three wickets, with veteran Brad Windridge also claiming three scalps for the eventual premiers.
When it came to the hosts’ turn to bat, the side’s top order took control of the match.
Tyler Jones (46) and Oliver O’Shea (35) managed a half-century opening-wicket stand, before captain Kurt Brereton (46 not out) and Jack Lunghusen (26 not out) wrapped up the match with 10 overs to spare.
Lunghusen joined Brereton at the crease prior to the final drinks break, with the team needing 42 runs from the final 90 balls of the match.
The pair targeted Nondies’ slower bowlers after the break, scoring 30 runs off what would be the final 12 balls of the game – including 18 runs of Kyeran Ellery’s ninth over of the innings – to claim the premiership.
“We have not had the best year, but it all came together at the end of the season for us,” Brereton said.
“To our side; we have a young group of players. I urge them to keep their heads up and stick together,” Nondies captain, Rhys Bradley said.
