The AIC First XI premiership has been won by Villanova after a thriller with St Laurence’s College

The AIC First XI cricket premiership has been won by Villanova College after a breathtaking finish against St Laurence’s College this afternoon.

The AIC First XI cricket premiership has been won by Villanova after a breathtaking finish against St Laurence’s College this afternoon.

Chasing 128, St Laurence’s lost 4-5 to be dismissed for 125 in an extraordinary climax to the season.

Villanova’s Harry Short took two late wickets while Ethan Raymond took a screamer of a catch in the hectic final moments.

It was a blanket finish to the season.

Matt Short of Villanova defends.(AAP Image/Jono Searle)

St Laurence’s had thrown a cat among the pidgeons when their bowlers combined to dismiss unbeaten Villanova for a small total, setting up the prospect of a tied premiership between Villa, Laurie’s and Marist Ashgrove.

But in amazing scenes, Villanova came back from the brink to win after St Laurence’s held four wickets in hand with just nine runs to get.

Villanova captain Matt Short missed out with the bat, but when bowling he took a wicket with his first ball and again in the third over to send St Laurence’s onto the backfoot when they batted.

A calm hand by Jake Elmer helped Laurie’s toward victory before Villa hit back hard late in the match.

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All this after St Laurence’s bowler Connor McNeven (3-28) did plenty of early damage, helped by Lance Davies (3-23), Elmer (2-24) and Sam Gorman (1-21) who bowled tightly for the black and gold outfit.

Jake Perrier tried to steady the innings for Villanova along with Tom Kinross and then Louis Henderson, but once Perrier was out for 30 (49) Villa collapsed.

St Laurence's bowler Connor McNeven. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Villa pair Ethan Raymond 25 (34 balls) and Dale Dsouza also produced a late flurry.

While all of this was unfolding, down the road at Iona College, Marist College Ashgrove rose with one final thrust to amass 7-248 and set up victory against the home side. Iona (183) tried hard in reply but could not reel in Ashgrove.

For Ashgrove bowlers Kumaru, Moore, Lanigan, Waite (three wickets), O’Neill and Magee all contributed.

Marist Ashgrove’s innings was constructed around No. 3 Tom Collier whose 95 ensured his side would reach high ground batting first.

Marist Brothers batsman Tom Magee. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Collier spent just 115 balls crafting his fluent innings after the early run out of opener Nate Harding (five).

By the time Collier was dismissed, fifth batsman out with the score on 191, Ashgrove were well placed.

Collier shared in an important second wicket stand of 86 with opener Cooper Mackie who took his time and allowed Collier to make the running.

Behind that pair Tom Magee pushed on with a swift 24 (31 balls) for Marist.