The Bendigo District Cricket Association won two out of the three McPherson Shield junior cricket grand finals on Sunday.
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The annual competition is played between the five associations which make up the Northern Rivers zone – Bendigo, Shepparton, Murray Valley, Goulburn Murray and Seymour.
Bendigo earned hosting rights in all three age groups – under-13, 15 and 17 – and were victorious in the under-13 and 17 age groups.
In the under-17 final at Harry Trott Oval, Bendigo scored a 41-run win over Murray Valley.
After winning the toss and batting, Bendigo openers James Vlaeminck (20) and Patrick Blandford (20) got their side off to a solid start.
The remainder of the top order got starts, but no-one made more than 20 and Murray Valley had all the momentum when Bendigo fell to 7-112.
Jack Bourke (26 not out) and Matt Gallagher (22) added a quickfire 45 for the eighth wicket to lift Bendigo to a competitive 9-164.
In reply, Murray Valley had control of the game when it moved to 2-98, but Vlaeminck’s dismissal of MV skipper Jordan Cleeland swung the game in Bendigo’s favour.
The visitors lost their final eight wickets for just 25 runs.
Opening bowler Liam Christensen (3-20) was the chief wicket-taker for Bendigo, while Mitch Cheesman (2-20), Gallagher (1-10), Vlaeminck (1-20) also impressed with the ball.
In the under-15 clash at Dower Park, Murray Valley defeated Bendigo by one wicket in a thriller.
A fine half-century from opener Noah Walsh (50) and a solid innings from Bailey Ilsley (24) were the mainstays of Bendigo’s innings of 9-136 off 45 overs.
Murray Valley looked down and out when it fell to 7-101, but good batting from tailenders Shannon Young and Harry Hillier gave the visitors a sniff of victory.
Bendigo claimed the ninth wicket with MV requiring three runs for victory, but last pair Matthew Price and Will Lavery saw MV home.
Braydon Vaz (2-17), Luke Stagg (2-20) and Nahid Hossain (1-14) were Bendigo’s best bowlers.
In the under-13 final at Strathfieldsaye, Bendigo proved too good for a gallant Goulburn Murray.
Bendigo restricted Goulburn Murray to 8-130 off 40 overs.
In an even bowling and fielding performance, Bradman Constable (3-15) was the most successful Bendigo bowler.
Great batting from Wil Tuohey (36), James Barri (33), Luke Salvador (25 not out) and Constable (19) saw Bendigo home for the loss of seven wickets with two overs to spare.
