BARHAM-Koondrook have fallen short in their bid to win their first trophy in the Swan Hill & District Cricket Association, with the Raiders suffering a 127-run defeat to Nyah District in Saturday’s A grade grand final.
Having beaten rivals Wandella in the semi-final, the Raiders were unable to replicate their heroics seven days later, with the Demons going on to record back-to-back premierships and win all three SHDCA A grade titles this season.
A batting masterclass from openers Charlie Boulton (96) and Mitchell Grinham (53) set the tone for Nyah District, with the pair combining for a 122-run opening partnership, before Joel Walsh (93 runs off 48 balls) pummelled the tiring Barham-Koondrook attack into the ground in the oppressive conditions.
Having amassed 3-262 in just 50 overs, the Demons were well in control from the tea break onwards, with the Raiders forced to attack from the outset with the bat.
Despite the best efforts Lachlan Laursen (45), Warren Lolicato (26) and Joel Davidson (18), Barham-Koondrook were bowled out for 135 in the 35th over, with Boulton (3-18) and Walsh (3-44) continuing their emphatic grand final performances.
Nyah District captain Ben Shadbolt also contributed in the win, taking 2-23 off 10 overs, with the Demons skipper proud to of his team’s history making season.
“We set out at the start of the year knowing we had a good list and knowing what it took to win, but we also didn’t just expect it to happen,” Shadbolt said post-match.
“And we had a few hiccups throughout the year, Ultima-TUF beat us in a T20 game and all that did was made our boys hungrier to win that competition.
“Woorinen beat us in earlier in the season too in a one-day game and that just motivated the boys as well, it gave us the kick we needed.
“It was almost like we realised we’re better than this after that loss, we knew in that game we weren’t hungry enough and it kind of lit a fire in us and that drove us to win the Kookaburra Cup.
“There have been times in the past when we’ve won the Kookaburra Cup and we’ve then coughed up a really good opportunity to win the red ball flag, but this year was different, we’re more mature, more confident, we know our game and everyone in our team has a role and they all play it really well.
“The T20 final and the Kookaburra Cup, once we got those two done, we knew we were good enough to win all three and that we are so close to making history, which is what we’ve done.”
The result caps off a period of domination for Nyah District, who have now won the past five A grade titles with a largely young and locally based team.
They also had to do it without two of their key contributors for the season, with all-rounders Max Thompson and Nash Richman both unavailable for Saturday’s grand final.
Despite their absences, Shadbolt was confident his team had the depth to cover the pair, with the end result affirming his confidence.
“Missing two blokes (Max Thompson and Nash Richman) today sucked, it sucks that they aren’t part of today, but as I said last week, our depth is so good that we can afford to replace these guys,” Shadbolt said.
“We have such good depth at our club and everyone is so young too, Charlie’s (Boulton) only 19 years old, Mitch (Grinham) is 20 and they’ve hit 120 plus for the opening partnership today.
“‘Walshy’ (Walsh) is only 27 and he has plenty of good cricket left, and there is a lot of young talent coming through our B grade and juniors that can all step up and play a role if needed as well.
“For Charlie (Boulton) to not only do what he did today, but this season, is incredible given his age and the fact he is only going to get better, which is scary to think about.”
Boulton’s performance with both bat and ball earned him man of the match honours – his second such award this season following his 49 run performance in this years Kookaburra Cup grand final.
Although Boulton and Walsh stood out, Grinham’s innings was every bit as important to the final result, with the opener helping to blunt the dangerous Barham-Koondrook attack in the early overs, before scoring freely on his way to his third half century of the season.
With the Demons young stars standing up on the biggest stage, the future according to Shadbolt looks bright for the SHDCA heavyweights.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the boys and I couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved at the club, we’ve won the last five A grade titles going back to last year and in all the years I’ve been playing, we’ve never not played in the semi finals,” Shadbolt said.
“I think it’s been almost 30 years since we missed the finals, which is ridiculous, but it all started years ago with guys like ‘Tassie’ (Tony) Denham, Ritchie and Mick (Boulton), Greg Fleming, Kent Wooding, my old man (Lyndon Shadbolt).
“They all built a winning culture and we are now the custodians of that, until we pass it onto the next generation, which is already starting to happen.
“Yes, we’re a successful club, but it’s all built around a culture of never giving in, every week we turn up positive and confident and knowing that not matter what happens, we’ll fight all the way until the end and even if we’re staring down the barrel and things don’t go our way, we just fight.”
