Pearcedale goes all the way to claim its first MPCA District premiership

THE rise and rise of Pearcedale Cricket Club has continued, with the Dales beating Flinders to secure their first MPCA District premiership on Saturday.

MPCA District Grand Final: Pearcedale v Flinders

THE rise and rise of Pearcedale Cricket Club has continued, with the Dales beating Flinders to secure their first MPCA District premiership on Saturday.

The resounding 136-run win in the grand final at Tyabb — a year after claiming the Sub District flag — sees Pearcedale gain promotion to Provincial ranks for the first time in its 95-year history.

Pearcedale skipper Kaine Smith declared this a special era for his club.

“Going up to District, everyone bought in and said, ‘let’s give it a crack’ … and look where we are now,’’ Smith said.

The Dales are a close-knit, proud club and emotions ran high on Saturday.

“It was good to see ex-players at the game and to see the look on their faces, to the know that the club has never been in Provincial and just to see where the club is now,’’ Smith said.

Pearcedale’s grand final victory was set up by a brilliant innings by its coach Chris Dew, who made 159no last week in an excellent total of 9-272.

Flinders batsman Simon Parrott is dismissed in the grand final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In reply, Flinders resumed on 2-37 on Saturday and lost wickets regularly to be dismissed for 136 in the 84th over. Pearcedale’s ever-reliable Shayne Gillings took 3-39 off 23 overs, Dew chipped in with 2-41, Smith 2-23 and Shane Maggs, who was talking retirement, 2-26, including the final wicket.

Smith said Pearcedale got on a roll this season and its belief grew.

“I don’t think anyone really thought we’d have the season we had but we won our first game and then our second and everyone started to believe,’’ he said.

Asked to compare the Dales’ past two flags, Smith said last season’s Subbies flag was “more relief’’ while this one was “a bigger achievement’’.

Pearcedale captain Kaine Smith shows his players the premiership cup. Picture: Valeriu Campan

So, Pearcedale enters uncharted waters next season and Smith says his side has the talent to be competitive in Provincial.

“Our bowling has obviously been our strength. We have consistently been getting teams out for between 100 and 150,’’ he said.

Pearcedale flag men: Kaine Smith (captain), Chris Dew (coach), Brad Trotter, Matthew Cousland, Mitchell Andrew, Shane Maggs, Anthony McLaughlin, Shayne Gillings, Luke Jennings, Max Blackburn, Sam Frawley.