Mt Clear is the Twenty20 Regional Big Bash champions.
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The Mounties rose to the occasion on the MCG to defeat Buckley Ridges by 47 runs on Tuesday.
Mt Clear won the toss and skipper Darcy Thomson elected to bat. It got off to an impressive start with Nathan Yates (35 runs from 37 deliveries) and Sam Giblett (42 off 36) finding regular boundaries and ticking the run rate over at quick pace.
However, when Yates and Giblett fell – taking Mt Clear to 2-83 and then 3-94 – runs become a little more difficult to find.
The Mounties ended its 20 overs at 7-128, an acceptable total.
“We thought anything around 120-130 is good, with the target of getting to 150,” Thomson said.
Buckley Ridges opener Daniel Waston was always going to have a big say over the match, he entered the grand final with scores of 95*, 18 and 46 in the lead-up finals and Mt Clear knew he was the prized scalp.
He raced to 23 runs off 10 balls and threatened to be the matchwinner, but skipper Thomson claimed the key wicket – a turning point in the match.
Buckley Ridges went from 0-32 to all out 81 as Mt Clear gained full control.
Thomson (3-21) and Darren Fletcher (3-16) took three wickets each while Steve Nicholson was crucial with his economical spell, taking 1-5 from four overs.
Thomson was stoked with the performance. His group came with a plan and executed it brilliantly.
“The most pleasing thing was throughout the tournament everybody had a crack at doing their bit and there was different people that stood up at different stages.
“They got off to a pretty good start then we got a couple of quick wickets which put us on top and once we were on top we did well and sealed it.”
Thomson said it was important to address the occasion before the match, to ensure the side was not overwhelmed by the fact it was in a huge final as well as being on the MCG. Thomson said it was a “surreal” feeling in the rooms, but Mt Clear was composed and disciplined from the first ball.
“We had a quick chat before the game, I said we’ve got to go out there and play hard but we can’t get overwhelmed by the occasion.
“If we do, and lose a few early wickets, we’re in strife.
“They all loved it, it was a great experience, even in the rooms beforehand – it was a bit surreal for everybody.”
After some celebrations, Mt Clear will turn its attention to cementing its top four spot in the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade on Saturday.
SCOREBOARD
MT CLEAR
S.Nicholson 13 (10); N.Yates 35 (37); S.Giblett 42 (36); C.Townrow 7 (8); M.Ward 17 (12); M.Goonan 1 (3); A.George 5 (8); D.Thomson 4* (4); G.Trevenen 1 (2); Total: 7-128 off 20 overs
BOWLING
D.Watson 1-29, L.Hoogenboom 1-26, G.Todd 0-8, M.Goodwright 1-27, S.Pradeep 0-20, J.Anderson 3-17
BUCKLEY RIDGES
D.Watson 23 (10); S.Pradeep 6 (8); S.Ekanayake 1 (9); G.Todd 0 (1); T.Aust 16 (22); R.Jayathunga 2 (9); B.Watson 3 (10); M.Goodwright 0 (0); J.Anderson 16 (19); M.PAtel 3 (4); L.Hoogenboom 3 (7); Total: 81 off 16.3 overs
BOWLING
N.Yates 1-25, D.Thomson 3-21, S.Nicholson 1-5, D.Fletcher 3-16, G.Trevenen 1-12