Tea Tree Gully wins its third straight Grade Cricket Twenty20 Cup

SELF belief, a tight-knit team and disciplined bowling has helped Tea Tree Gully claim its third straight Grade Cricket Twenty20 Cup.

SELF belief, a tight-knit team and disciplined bowling has helped Tea Tree Gully claim its third straight Grade Cricket Twenty20 Cup.

The Gullies beat Northern Districts by 17 runs in the decider at Bulkana Oval last night.

The victory capped a remarkable season for the side which also won its third consecutive One Day Cup last month.

“It’s pretty special,” coach Peter Sleep said.

“You don’t get too many times when you can win three in a row.”

Tea Tree Gully won the toss and elected to bat in the final.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Davey continued his recent hot streak, smashing 59 from 49 balls as the hosts put on 5/141 in their allotted overs.

Handy contributions also came from Tim Evans (27 off 31 balls) and Adam Somerfield (26 off 28).

The Jets struggled to 9/124 in reply after being 8/87 earlier in their innings.

Left arm orthodox Sean Nottle, 18, took the new ball and finished with 2/14 off four overs.

Somerfield completed an impressive all-round display, taking 1/14 from three overs.

“All the bowlers bowled really well,” Sleep said.

“Nottle’s starting to come of age … he’s been a revelation.”

The Gullies have lost just one limited overs game in the past three years.

Sleep said his players had formed a strong bond and had faith that any score they posted was defendable.

“Everyone’s starting to gel together as a group and now we’re starting to reap the rewards,” he said.

“Our bowlers tend to bowl full and straight which makes it very difficult to hit boundaries or twos.

“If you’re not getting scored off regularly, then it’s easier to defend.”

Steven Marks (1/14) and Alex Frick (1/13) were best with the ball for Northern.

The Jets’ No. 8 batsman Trent Pascoe hit 33, including three sixes, while Mark Hanson made 29 and Cameron Francis 12.