Springvale South bowler Bobby Gray was tireless during his 21-over spell and finished with 3/43.
By Glen Atwell
THE Berwick Bears were crowned the Dandenong and District Cricket Association turf-one champions after defeating Springvale South by four wickets in last weekend’s grand final.
The premiership win was Berwick’s first in 10 years.
Springvale South won the toss and elected to bat, but the reigning premiers were in early trouble at 2/21.
Steven Masterson steadied the innings, adding 41 before he was caught off the bowling of Ryan Crawford.
A century to Springvale South captain Daniel Law (102) salvaged the innings with a magnificent batting display, but wickets continued to fall.
The Berwick bowlers continued to find the edge and the Springvale South tail collapsed to be all out for 230.
Crawford (3/36), Will Carr (3/39) and Chris Underwood (3/55) shared the wickets.
In reply, Berwick got off to the worst start possible when opener Justin Stanton was out for a duck in the first over.
When Bradley Molineux ‘quacked’ his way back to the pavilion the following over, the score was 2/2 and Springvale South looked like winning a third consecutive premiership flag.
However rival captain David Hampton arrived at the crease and anchored the innings, scoring 64 crucial runs.
Hampton played a disciplined innings, not chasing anything wide and proved how useful a sturdy forward defensive shot could be.
When his wicket fell, after playing a loose pull-shot, the score was 6/132 and the grand final was well and truly up for grabs.
Enter Crawford and Rohan Nancarrow, partnering to swing the game in Berwick’s favour.
Crawford (40 not out) and Nancarrow (54 not out) dominated the Springvale South bowling attack in the final stages of the run-chase and belted the Bears to victory in the 84th over, 6/232.
It was Nancarrow’s last game in the first XI side.
Bobby Gray was the pick of the Springvale South bowlers, claiming 3/43 in his 21-over spell.
