In a battle between two SJ Perry Shield titans, it was Mooroopna which was the last team standing as it clinched the Cricket Shepparton D-grade premiership over Pine Lodge.
The Cats edged out their fierce rival by a narrow 26 runs on Saturday in the decider at Kialla Recreation Reserve.
Pine Lodge went in as favourite, thanks to the Lodgers’ dominant season, but it was the Cats’ grand final experience that came to the fore at the weekend.
Player of the match went to Mooroopna’s wicketkeeper Jake Summers, who stood tall with a match-high 37 runs, before he rose to the occasion with two stumpings and an assisted run out.
“It got real close, we got a good couple of run outs which really changed the whole perspective of the game, we were very, very lucky,” Summers said.
“It’s amazing to actually have the win, it’s one of the best feelings ever, we play for the team, so just amazing.”
A well-rounded team performance ensured Mooroopna secured the title over the competition’s minor premier.
After Mooroopna was sent in to bat, opener and finals regular Lloyd Payne soaked up the pressure as he and Michael Van Dorsser (27 runs) stuck it out following the early dismissal of Geoff Wood.
Pine Lodge’s Manjit Singh (2-33) and Braydon Kearns (3-35) bowled superbly to have Mooroopna 5-77.
Summers was able to weather the storm and get Mooroopna back into the contest.
“It was more about not losing wickets, runs were important, but it was about sticking around,” Summers said.
The Cats went on to post 9-165 from their 40 overs.
Mooroopna couldn’t have asked for a better start with ball in hand.
Corey Meyer (2-19) and Brad Hallum (1-15) bowled tight lines and dismissed Pine Lodge’s opening bats before the scoreboard reached double figures.
Ash Bettridge (3-25) was on fire for Mooroopna and he claimed the important scalps of Lee Van Taarling (27 runs) and Shane Webber (26).
All six of Mooroopna’s bowlers walked off the field with a wicket to their name as Pine Lodge finished all out for 139.
“Our guys bowled amazingly, they were fantastic, it’s really easy to keep to when you’ve got good bowlers that aren’t bowling everywhere, so it was fantastic,” Summers said.
“For us it’s the second time we’ve won, it’s fantastic, we won last year in C-grade and to get it in (D-grade) this year is amazing.”