Buckley Park is on back on top of the NWMCA mountain with a commanding win

After five consecutive grand final defeats, Buckley Park smashed its hoodoo to claim the NWMCA Luscombe Shield premiership in commanding style.

The bridesmaid no longer, Buckley Park is king of the NWMCA.

After five consecutive grand final defeats, the Beavers claimed a long-awaited Luscombe Shield premiership on Sunday with a commanding 132-run win over Gladstone Park at Buckley Park.

A dominant performance with the bat set up the drought-breaking victory as four players scored half-centuries to post a mammoth 9-357.

Gladstone Park put up a strong fight but were dismissed for 225 as its brilliant return season came up agonisingly short.

Raja Sandhu was awarded the grand final medal as best afield for a brilliant all-round performance, scoring with 78 before taking 4-43 – both match-highs.

In his first season in charge, captain-coach Elliott Massina couldn’t have been prouder as his team won the club’s first senior flag since 2000-01.

“It’s been 21 or 22 years so it was a bit of a monkey of the back,” Massina said.

“Particularly for some of the older players, it was relief more than anything, from being the bridesmaids so many times over the last 10 or so years it was really good for the place.

“Obviously, they’ve had good enough sides over the years but for whatever reason it hasn’t happened, so we’re the lucky ones.”

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Vihanga Ambepitiya (51) and Jaspreet Singh (62) gave Buckley Park a strong foundation with a 86-run second-wicket stand.

Josh Eastley (50) and Raja Sandhu (78) combined for a 54-run partnership before critical late runs from Rupinder Sandhu (47 not out).

“Often with big totals someone gets a big hundred but we got contributions right down the list,” Massina said.

“Vihanga scratched pretty hard for someone that’s been so fluid all year, he probably batted for nearly 50 overs and really anchored the innings.

Grand final medal winner Raja Sandhu. Picture: Hamish Blair

“The partnership that changed the game was Josh Eastley and Raja Sandhu, they scored pretty freely and helped us get up to 350.

“It took a bit of pressure off overnight, everyone sleep a bit better.”

In reply, Wes Telford made a flying start scoring 45 of Gladstone Park’s first 63 runs.

Brad Fawcus (40) and Rahul Mall (45) offered resistance but could not stop the Buckley Park momentum.

Raja Sandhu saved his best batting performance and equal best bowling performance for the grand final to claim the medal.

“He had a terrific all-round game, bowled really well and got wickets when we really needed to,” Massina said.

“They fought hard with the bat, we never ran through them at any stage, so it was hard work but Raj was the key and picked up big wickets.”

Buckley Park capped its weekend with an emotional premiership win in the Fourth XI.

NMCA: HOLY HEART-ATTACK, TRINITY MAKES HISTORY

LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEWS HERE

VTCA: DEER PARK ENDS HAIG REIGN, EYES BACK-TO-BACK

The Beavers claimed the Cathy Moloney Shield with a 29-run win over Pascoe Vale Hadfield a year after finishing last in the competition.

The Moloney family are closely linked to Buckley Park and the Shield is named after NWMCA president Brian’s late wife.

Club legend Mark McPherson scored an unbeaten 101 – backing up a ton in the semi-final, his 14th and 15th centuries for the club – to guide his team to 3-205.

Adrian Harris then took 3-30 as Pascoe Vale Hadfield were dismissed for 176.