Kensington dominates with the ball to beat Adelaide in 2018/19 grade cricket grand final

Kensington has swept through Adelaide’s batsmen with ferocity to triumph in grade cricket’s two day grand final at Glenelg Oval on Sunday.

Alex Ross and Josh Doyle put together a 123-run partnership to set up victory for Kensington in the grade cricket grand final against Adelaide on Sunday. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

• Kensington strike late on day one of grand final
• Brown’s special year continues with Bradman Medal win

Kensington has swept through Adelaide’s batsmen with ferocity to triumph in grade cricket’s two-day grand final at Glenelg Oval on Sunday.

Redbacks seamer Elliot Opie took 6/32 and rising spin star Lloyd Pope snared 4/30 as the Browns rolled the Buffalos for 78 to take a 115-run victory and its first two-day flag in eight seasons.

But the match-winning performance was reserved for another Kensington pair, Alex Ross and Josh Doyle, whose 123-run fourth wicket stand proved the difference.

Congratulations to @KensingtonCC1 ⬇️ ... winners of the West End men’s Premier 🏏 First Grade premiership pic.twitter.com/OI0mA93PAT

— SACA News (@SACAnews) March 24, 2019

The Browns were in trouble at 3/42 on day one with skipper Jake Brown already dismissed after pulling his calf in the first over then getting caught and bowled by Buffalos captain Cam Valente (7/58)

But Ross scored a match-high 76 and Doyle made 59 to propel their side to 193.

Brown, who on Wednesday night took home his third Bradman Medal, said the triumph capped an amazing week.

“This is the ultimate high but I had the lowest of lows yesterday when I pinged my calf in the first over,” Brown said.

Alex Ross salutes after reaching 50. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

“That was pretty disheartening.

“If we had lost, I think that would have haunted me for a while, but with the win it doesn’t matter.

“I wasn’t going to last much longer, I already knew that in my head, I just couldn’t put any weight on my front leg – I was in trouble.

“It has been an amazing week.”

Kensington’s total appeared attainable for the Buffalos’ talented batting line-up but it was the Browns’ star-studded bowling attack that came to the fore.

Opie and Pope worked their magic late on day one to have Adelaide teetering on the brink of defeat at 5/50 at stumps.

When Opie then trapped Michael Cormack early on day two it appeared all but over.

Adelaide went on to lose its final four wickets for just 12 runs.

Kensington coach Russell Thompson said Ross and Doyle’s partnership was the difference in the game.

“The lads have been fantastic all year and it’s probably just rewards for how well they’ve played.

“Alex and Josh made the middle session look easy and we saw how difficult it was outside of that.”
Sam Raphael topscored for the Buffalos with 26, while Matthew Nobes was unbeaten on 20.

Adelaide’s quest to end its 14-year two day flag drought continues.

Kensington batsman Josh Doyle survives a dropped catch from Adelaide wicket keeper Alex Eckland. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Raphael and speedster Phil Neate announced their retirements in the rooms after the game.

Skipper Valente said it was an emotional finish to a strong season by the Buffalos.

“It’s pretty quiet in there,” Valente said.

“Sam Raph and Phil Neate just announced their retirements and that’s an equally big a blow losing those two, as losing the game.

“They’ve both been great players over a number of years.

“Both things make for not a very nice feeling but at the same time we’re going to celebrate two great careers.

“As hard as it is to lose a grand final, to win a semi-final and be one of two teams to play off for a premiership is still a great year even though it would have been better if we won.

“We’re always a team that comes back from bad situations, so we still had a glimmer of hope but at the same time their bowling attack is the best in the league so it was always going to be hard.”

[e-mail]

Follow @patkeam