Opener's dogged knock helps Harwood clinch title

LUKE Harradine likes the big stage and it’s not hard to see why.

Harwood's Luke Harradine top scored with 67 in the grand final to help Harwood claim the CRCA Premier league title.

LUKE Harradine likes the big stage and it's not hard to see why.

The Harwood opener made starts all season but saved his solitary half century for the CRCA Premier League grand final. He took 48 overs to score 67 and help his side to 4 for 156 at stumps on Saturday at Ellem Oval.

"I like big games, like playing grand finals," Harradine said. "I've been feeling good all season but just not getting any runs, but came good yesterday.

"It's just nice to bat for the team and it's always good to beat Tucabia."

Tucabia managed to restrict Harwood on Sunday to 9 for 225 when a bigger score looked probable. But a steady flow of wickets made life difficult for Tucabia.

"I was expecting to chase 270, so I was happy with 225 because for the 25 overs in the field in the morning we put in a great effort," McKenzie said. "I thought we were every chance, but it wasn't to be. A couple of decisions. I thought we were good enough, but apparently we weren't.

"All credit to Harwood, they're good frontrunners once they get the runs on the board."

When leg spinner Daley Durrant (5 for 52 off 18.3) caught Joey Pigg (0) off his own bowling, Harwood had its third premiership in four years. Durrant had his fifth scalp - the perfect return to cricket after several years focused on playing football.

"The boys kept geeing me up and a lot of support which was good. First year back to win a grand final, I'm stoked, lost for words," Durrant said.

"Luke set us up for a good day, everyone pitched in. The effort in the field was really good as well. The regular fall of wickets, getting them before they could get going was a big key."

At 50, captain Tim McMahon dismissed retirement rumours. He enjoyed winning a premiership with sons Ben and Hayden and hinted about playing with his third son Jacob.

"I really enjoyed today. Great feeling," McMahon said. "The game is about batting your overs out and we did.

"Playing cricket with the boys is the thing that's kept me going the last couple of years. There's a leg spinner hanging around somewhere that wouldn't mind having a game. In six months we'll see what happens.

"(Umpire) Geoff Hackett and (curator) Scully (Tony Blanch) have to be thanked for all the work they did and draining the water off. We wouldn't have played otherwise."

Originally published as Opener's dogged knock helps Harwood clinch title