GRAMPIANS emerged victorious by one wicket in the final over to win the division three title in the closest final of Bendigo Country Week on Friday.
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Grampians’ last wicket pair of Michael Harricks and Bradley Slorach teamed for a 12-run partnership to beat Bendigo Colts – playing in the final in place of the disqualified Northern United – in a thriller at Strathfieldsaye.
Chasing Bendigo’s 8-147, Grampians was under pressure at 8-136 following the dismissal of Lachlan Oddie (5).
However, the last pair of Harricks (17 n.o.) and Slorach (3 n.o.) delivered under pressure, passing Bendigo’s total on the final ball of the match bowled by Mitch Winter-Irving to finish at 9-148.
There was an anxious moment for Grampians when a run out appeal was given out in the second-last over, before being overturned.
Earlier, opening batsman Thomas Hannett batted well in top-scoring with 60, while opening bowlers Winter-Irving (3-19) and Will Keck (3-31) took three wickets each for Bendigo.
Hannett was the only player in the Grampians’ top five to reach double figures, with the side at one stage battling at 4-32.
Bendigo’s score of 8-147 after it was sent in featured a half-century to Winter-Irving (52), taking his tally of runs for the week to 361 from just three hits.
Oddie (3-34) was the best of the bowlers for Grampians, which has earned promotion to division two following a carnival in which it went through undefeated.
• Wangaratta will make its return to division one next year after winning a second title in as many years.
A year after winning the division three premiership, Wangaratta captured the division two crown with a 45-run win over Colac at Strathdale in what was the second meeting in as many days between the two sides.
Wangaratta scored at almost a run-a-ball in making 8-205 off its 35 overs batting first after winning the toss.
Tom Nightingale (62) passed 50 for the third time of the carnival, with he and captain Jacob Schonafinger (49) putting on 75 for the fourth wicket in the best stand of the innings.
Both Nightingale and Schonafinger were dismissed by Dylan Flanigan (3-46), who was Colac’s leading wicket-taker.
Colac batted out its 35 overs, but was restricted to 7-160 in its chase.
Opening batsman Clay Mulgrew (51) battled hard for Colac, which was under pressure from the outset when it lost Kade Parker (0) first ball of the innings.
Joe Thomas’ 3-21 were the best bowling figures for Wangaratta, with his wickets including that of Mulgrew.
The victory capped an unbeaten carnival for Wangaratta.
