Sports News Sunraysia with Sammy Smythe

Englishman Scott Steel, who didn’t have an effect when bowling on Saturday became the home town hero when he scored 42 from 38 balls to get Irymple over the line in one of the most exciting Sunraysia Cricket Association Grand Finals for many years.

After scoring 151 all out on Saturday and Irymple at 0/36 at stumps, Mildura Settlers began day two with a different attack.

They opened with Brayden Wood and Luke Price, who got an early result when he trapped Irymple captain Jordan Payne leg before and the score was 38.

Price then dismissed Matt Button, who batted a long time for 22 and Mark Kerr had Daniel Coghlan caught in slips by Jason Morrison.

When Irymple edged its way to 4/93 victory was still in sight but the efforts of Kerr and Price, along with Morrison dismissing Mark Thomson swung the game Settlers way.

The score was 7/108 with all-rounder Steel still at the crease. He had taken 35 wickets for the season with his spin, but had been wicket less.

Jeremy Graham faced 17 balls without scoring while Steel got runs at the other end.

Luke Price came back into the attack to claim the wicket of Graham and the score was 8/139.

Chase Stone came to the crease faced one ball and they ran two but moments later he was sent back by Steel leaving him stranded and the score was 9/143.

The last man to the crease was Caleb Garraway with Steel continuing to get runs at the other end and the score reached 9/150.

Garraway struck a three and an elated Irymple – which had not played a Grand Final for 20 years – were premiers.

TANKARD DENTAL FIRST DIVISION GRAND FINAL – George Gordon Oval Dareton March 24-25

 Mildura Settlers first innings : All out 151.

Irymple First innings (resumed at 0/36 from 15 overs).

J Payne, lbw L Price                               24

M Button c M Kerr, b L Price                 22

D Coghlan  c J Morrison b M  Kerr         9

D Filippi c R Wyld b Morrison                 6

R Anderson b M Kerr                                9

M Thomson c R Wyld b J Morrison         15

B Phelan c M Kerr b L Price                      8

S Steel     not out                                       42

J Graham  c R Wyld b L Price                    0

C Stone   run out                                         2

C Garraway  not out                                  3

Extras                                                            8

TOTAL (for nine wickets)                        153

FALL: 38, 56, 73, 74, 93, 105, 108, 139, 143

Bowling: M Cleary 0/46, M Kerr 3/34, J Morrison 1/20, L Price 4/28, R Wyld 0/2, M Smith 0/5, B Wood 0/12

Irymple won by one wicket.  Man of the match: Mark Thomson (Irymple)

Sports News Sunraysia Sports writer Sam Smythe  Caught up with Jordan Payne Irymple Skipper 

After the Match