North Geelong claimed its fourth consecutive Geelong Cricket Association premiership on Saturday March 25 with a 31-run victory against East Belmont at Queen’s Park, Highton.
The Magpies were led by inspirational skipper Tom Mathieson, who picked up five wickets with his nagging seamers.
Mathieson took 38 wickets this season at a stunning average of 8.
North Geelong won the toss and batted first with Ned Cooper (37) and Sam Hall (35) adding 70 for the opening partnership.
Blake Troy chipped in with a handy 31, but at 5/143 the game was fairly even.
Andrew Fergusson (48 not out off 64 deliveries) and Dale Kerr (33 not out off 28) then put the finishing touches on the innings with an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 68 to give North Geelong a final total of 5/211.
Ben Knight was the only dual wicket taker for East Belmont although Josh Lacey proved tough to get away with his 10 overs netting the wicket of Hall and costing only 28 runs.
East Belmont got off to a horror start during its run chase with prolific opener Shane McNamara well caught at slip by Fergusson off the bowling of Kerr.
Sean O’Neill (26) and Lacey (20) got the innings back on track with a 36-run stand before Mathieson stepped in.
The left-armer would go on to take 5/26 in a match-winning performance.
Hayden McMahon played well for his 62 not out, but with paceman Kerr returning to the attack to take 3/31, the total proved too much and North Geelong was in celebration mode.
In GCA2, Murgheboluc sent Torquay in, which paid dividends.
Torquay was all out for 108 with Seb Hutley snaring three wickets.
The Frogs passed the total five wickets down with Luke Webb unbeaten on 35 although Ash Russell did his part for Torquay with 4/23.
In GCA3, a superb century from opener Michael Lymer helped Bell Park over the line against St Albans/Breakwater.
Lymer made 101 and shared a 124-run opening stand with Ben Grinter, who made 52.
Bell Park’s 8/197 proved too much as the Saints were bowled out for 147 with Shane Lymer grabbing 4/24 and Mitch Trask 3/31.
Waurn Ponds Deakin’s Philip Visser was the star in the GCA4 grand final.
Visser made 110 off just 97 deliveries against Guild St Mary’s in a thriller with WPD getting home with two wickets and 10 balls to spare.
