Cricket Southern Bayside: South Caulfield and Murrumbeena claim thrilling wins in grand finals
A Lewis Mildenhall masterclass fired South Caulfield to victory over Bentleigh in the CSB Championship grand final, while Murrumbeena took the Division 1 flag in a thriller.
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South Caulfield has yet again shone on the biggest stage of all.
Led by a virtuoso all-round performance by Lewis Mildenhall (6-58 and 60), South edged Bentleigh by three wickets in a tense CSB Championship Division grand final at Princes Park to hoist their sixth flag in a golden decade.
South Caulfield’s English import James Boyle hit a six — it was dropped over the boundary — to tie scores late on Sunday afternoon before moments later hitting the winning runs as South, 7-218, reeled in Bentleigh’s 216 in the 83rd over.
“It was a very dour day all the way along,’’ South Caulfield coach Jason Jacoby said.
“It was just one of those games, it was always a wicket away from turning the game on its head. It was tight.’’
Boyle was unbeaten on 24 off 15 balls (with 3 fours, 1 six), applying the finishing touches after South’s top order Brad Erasmus (37), Tom Morris (33 off 133 balls) and Mildenhall (60 off 180 balls) did the hard yards.
Morris and Mildenhall put on 60 for the third wicket to lift South Caulfield from 2-50 to 2-110.
Callum Nankervis (21 off 30) and Sam Holten (18 off 28) also made vital contributions before Boyle’s blast at the end.
Bentleigh’s bowlers never stopped trying. Spinner Josh Cantrell took 4-71 off 31 overs, with 10 maidens, while Matt Chasemore sent down 23 overs, taking 2-59, including the wicket of Mildenhall, leg before.
On Saturday, Bentleigh won the toss and batted, with Chasemore (23) and Chamindu Mathra (34) putting on 54 for the first peg.
Mildenhall removed both openers and at one stage had 6-17 off 7 overs before finishing with 6-58 off 12. Bentleigh No 7 Shane Jeffree smacked 69 not out off 87 balls (with 10 flours and 1 six) to give the Demons a competitive total and set South a challenge.
Mildenhall’s last month of the season was nothing short of magnificent. He made 100 against Bentleigh in the last round of the season to lift South Caulfield to top spot and then made 32no and took 5-29 in the semi-final win over Mentone before his grand final heroics.
“He’s a class player,’’ Jacoby said. “Thank goodness he’s on our team.’’
Former St Kilda champion wicketkeeper Jacoby took over as South Caulfield’s senior coach this season and watched his talented team gel — and ultimately avenge the disappointment of missing last season’s grand final.
“They’ve really connected well and as a team they’re good friends, so it’s very satisfying seeing a group of guys come together and grow and do well,’’ he said.
“Really satisfying.’’
South Caulfield’s flag men: William Russell (c), Sam Holten, Callum Nankervis, Bradley Erasmus, Tom Morris, Callum Hankin, James Boyle, Lewis Mildenhall, Jak Jowett, Conway Gilbert, Jonathon Curtis.
*A classic catch in the outfield helped Murrumbeena to a gripping four-run win over McKinnon in the Division 1 grand final.
Beena 12th man Nick Cowling’s well-judged high catch to dismiss McKinnon skipper Wade King (34) reduced the home side to 4-118 as it chased Murrumbeena’s 173 — and it triggered a collapse; McKinnon lost 6-51 to be all out for 169.
Murrumbeena spinner Tej Gandhi was named man-of-the-match after his brilliant bowling netted 6-68 off 30.5 overs, while Troy Ryan (2-48 off 20 overs) also played a starring role.
On Saturday, Beena captain Alex Ross made 57 off 132 balls, with 7 fours, to help his side post a competitive total, with Xavier Ross (26) and Adam Fraine (19no) also in the runs. Ulricht van Duyker (4-35 off 27.4 overs) was the pick of the McKinnon bowlers.
Murrumbeena’s victory earns it promotion back to CSB Championship division next season.
Murrumbeena’s flag men: Brett Hardham, Adam Fraine, Xavier Ross, William Kelly, Cooper Anstee, Troy Ryan, Alexander Ross (c), Arshaan Jasani, Jack Anstee, Tej Gandhi, Daniel Parkinson. 12th man: Nick Cowling.
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