A stunning unbeaten century from Sam Hall has seen North Geelong claim its third-straight GCA1 firsts premiership in dominating fashion.
The Magpie opener made light work of East Belmont’s bowling attack in the grand final at Reynolds Oval on Saturday, March 26, finishing with an unbeaten 104 from just 59 balls.
The knock, which included nine sixes and nine fours, led the Magpies to a 10-wicket win in just 18 overs, with opening partner Casey Meehan adding 49 runs at the other end.
It was Hall’s second ton in as many games, after a blistering 154 from 153 balls one week earlier in the semi-final against South Barwon.
East Belmont won the toss in Saturday’s final and chose to bat first, but lost Shane McNamara early for six runs.
Captain Sean O’Neill and Hayden McMahon combined well to settle the inning, combining for a 51-run partnership before McMahon fell for 29.
From there East Belmont struggled to build a score, with O’Neill the only batsman able to make it past 18, finishing with a 59, including three fours and two sixes.
By the end of its 50-over inning, East Belmont had set a score of 8-162.
North Geelong captain Tom Mathieson led the way with the ball, finishing with figures of 3-32 from 10 overs, while Tom Bagg collected 2-24 from his 10 overs.
The Lions’ score proved to not be enough as Meehan and Hall attacked from the first ball and chased down the target in just 75 minutes.
While the main prize slipped away, the Lions were able to claim two other premiership victories over North Geelong in the GCA1 seconds and fourths.
In the GCA2 firsts, St Peters was equally dominant in its 10-wicket victory over Leopold.
Taking on Leopold at its home ground, the visitors lost the toss and were sent into bowl but made the most of the opportunity.
Sam Bourke and Stephen Illingworth used the new ball to perfection and had Leopold on the back foot at 3-10.
Wickets continued to tumble for Leopold, with captain Corey Ogle playing a lone hand and hitting 41 as the Lions were bowled out 94 in the 40th over.
Luke Ford starred with ball with 4-18 from eight overs, while Illingworth finished with 3-13 from 7.2 overs.
In reply, Hayden Illingworth (39 not out) and Brodie Craig (48 not out) needed just 127 balls to chase down the target.
It capped off a big day for St Peters, who also won the seconds final over Geelong City and lost to City in the thirds.
In the GCA3 firsts, St Albans Breakwater got revenge for last year’s grand final loss to Corio with a five-wicket win over the Devils on Saturday.
Corio won the toss and chose to bat but found the going tough as the Supersaints’ bowlers kept the run rate low.
Corio was eventually bowled out for 124 in the 48th over, with just four batsmen making it into double figures and bowler Trey Laurie Laurie top scoring with 29.
Jake Spalding was the pick of St Albans Breakwater’s bowlers, finishing with 4-18.
In reply Supersaints opener Jake Watson-Serle hit a half-century to lead the team to 5-125 from 31.3 overs, although it wasn’t smooth sailing, with two of the top three dismissed in single figures.
