A close season of competitive cricket came down to Saturday afternoon as Home Hill Cricket Association hosted its grand final between Guardian Pharmacy and Peto’s Marine.
Ladder leaders Guardian, who defeated Crowned Mongrels the previous week to secure their spot in the final, won the toss and elected to bowl while second placed Peto’s were coming off a bye.
The early wicket of Peto’s opener Brad Parravicini to Thomas Cardillo got the bowling side off to a great start before fellow opener Simon Vickers and number three Daniel Olditch dug in.
Back Cover Caption: Back Row L-R: JD Wilkins, Kent Batchelor, Matthew Gardner, Damien Ricketts, Thomas Cardillo, Sam Gillespie and Salvatore Cardillo. Front Row L-R: Andrew Cardillo, Lee Watts, Mark Coventry and Jamie Grabs. Photo credit: Tiffany Olditch
An undefeated half century from Daniel Olditch led the way for Peto’s Marine to set the respectable total of 7/166 from 25 overs in their grand final showdown against Guardian Pharmacy.
Olditch made 50 runs not out from 46 balls and built partnerships with Darcy Walters (37 from 37) and Simon Vickers (25 from 27) to set up the innings.
Damien Ricketts led with the ball for Guardian taking 2/19 from three overs while Lee Watts took 1/4 from two overs, Thomas Cardillo took 1/7 from two overs, JD Wilkins took 1/18 from three overs and a runout, and Matthew Gardner took 1/22 from two overs.
Chasing a target of 167, Guardian openers Mark Coventry and Lee Watts got the run chase off to an excellent start, scoring 44 runs from 50 balls and 50 runs not out from 38 balls respectively.
Peto’s took a few quick middle order wickets to stay in the game before a partnership between JD Wilkins (18 not out from 15) and Andrew Cardillo (12 not out from 14) got the batting side over the line with two overs to spare, with Guardian finishing on 4/168 from 23 overs to claim victory.
Andrew Ballin claimed two of those wickets for Peto’s, finishing with figures of 2/10 from two overs while Brad Parravicini took 1/7 from two overs and Christopher Penna took 1/16 from two overs.
Home Hill Cricket Association President Alex Stillhard presented Guardian Pharmacy captain JD Wilkins with the shield at a presentation after the game, also recognising the following players for their efforts throughout the season:
• Highest score - Mark Coventry (65 not out)
• Most runs - Simon Vickers (248)
• Best batting average - Hugh Smith (70.5)
• Most wickets - Jay Leckenby / Simon Vickers / Matt Gardner (8)
• Best bowling average - JD Wilkins (4.71)
• Most Catches - Dan Olditch (9)
• Player of the Season - Simon Vickers
Caption 1: Daniel Olditch scored 50 runs not out from 46 balls for Peto’s Marina
Caption 2: Lee Watts scored 50 runs not out from 38 balls for Guardian Pharmacy
Photo credit: Tiffany Olditch
