There’s been grand final fever across Melbourne’s north-west in recent weeks, as the summer sports finish up their seasons. There’s plenty of good stories from across all competitions and here is four of them.
Emotional win for Epping
The premiership success for Epping’s second XI in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association B-grade competition was extra special.
Playing in their fifth grand final in seven seasons, the Pingers won their fourth title.
This one was extra special as at the beginning of the season, the club lost a young man who was one of their best mates.
At only 18, Kade Lawry, who was part of the B-grade side, took his own life just before the cricket season, with the players dedicating the season to him.
After losing to Diamond Creek during the regular season, the Pingers turned the tables in the grand final.
Epping batted first and made 9-147 led by captain Jaedyn Kearney 46 not out and wicketkeeper Shanyn Kearney with 30.
The Pingers then restricted Diamond Creek to 112 wickets, with Jordan Wilkins taking 4-27 and Jaedyn Kearney 3-20 to make it a special day for the club.
Undefeated season
It was the perfect season for Altona in the Western Region Junior Cricket Association under-11 Friday south-east competition.
After starting the season with one under-11 team, the A’s split into two teams due to the number of players.
One team played in the south-east competition and the other in the club’s Friday east.
In the south-east grand final, Altona faced Grand United.
Altona batted first making 9-172 with Charlie Loft top scoring with 26. Grand United finished 13-140 in reply off its 20 overs.
Alistair Culka took 3-14 off his three overs.
In the club’s east competition, there were no finals. The team won eight games for the season.
Back-to-back
Altona Sports’ successful season was capped off with a third senior premiership. After its division 5 side won a premiership, the club’s top side managed to go back-to-back, albeit in different competitions.
The second XI made it a hat-trick of wins, winning the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association Barrie Clissold Shield against East Coburg.
East Coburg batted first and were set to make a big total before Dean Bryden and Jono Lang combined to take 8-63 to dismiss East Coburg for 146.
Dean Mckensie and Daniel Mulcahy got Altona Sports away to a strong start before East Coburg started to take wickets before Lucas “The Kid” Meirers came in and showed wisdom beyond his years and steered the side to victory to score 8-147 to see Altona Sports home.
It was back-to-back wins for the second XI.
All-round performance seals premiership.
Sunshine Heights’ under-13 B side tasted premiership success in the Western Region Junior Cricket Association Friday north competition.
Whilst Deer Park won the toss and batted first it was bowled out for 130 in 25 overs. Deer Park’s leading run scorer, Arjun Upadhyay top scored 37 runs off 33 balls, which included one four and three sixes. Noah Ramsey dismissed Arjun.
Noah’s the youngest Ramsey to play with our club, along with his father, Shane and his two older brothers, Zac and Jhett. Noah’s bowling figures were 2-20 off three overs.
Sunshine Heights’ second best bowler was Sarim Tamoor who bowled three overs, taking 1-7.
Manroop Singh took three outfield catches to help get Deer Park all out.
Sunshine Heights got the runs as the sun set, finishing 5-132 off 28 overs.
Sarim made 34 not out and Noah 31 not out, both retired and came back in with a 60-odd run partnership.
Arlo Mykyta made a handy 14 not out to help guide Heights home. It was an all round team effort to defeat the top side away from home.
