SECA 2024/25: 300-run opening partnership lifts Highett West to back-to-back promotions

Read how a remarkable 300-run opening stand delivered Highett West its second SECA promotion in as many years.

Highett West celebrate their premiership after the SECA's 2024/25 Pullen Shield final. Picture: Facebook/Jess Flahive.

Highett West is flying through the SECA ranks – largely thanks to openers Kristian McInerney and Ben McDonald.

The pair were flying themselves as they put on a stunning 310-run opening stand against East Sandringham on day one of the Pullen Shield grand final.

Highett West finished with 7-357 from its 72 overs before restricting East Sandringham to 309 on day two to secure a 48-run grand final triumph.

“It was certainly one for the ages,” reflected McInerney, who captains the side and was one half of the brutal opening partnership.

McInerney finished with 112 from 213 balls, while McDonald’s bruising 181-ball 183 saw him crunch 26 boundaries, including 12 sixes.

“(Ben) was putting them over the pavilion, they were big hits … it was like nothing I’ve seen before,” McInerney said.

Ben McDonald celebrates his ton batting for Highett West in the SECA's 2024/25 Pullen Shield final. Picture: Facebook/Jess Flahive.

“It was probably almost disbelief as we went along, as we were 0-100 I kept saying to Benny that we were in a good position and whatever happens from here we just have fun, there’s plenty of batsmen in the shed. It went to 150, 200, 250, and I kept saying to Benny, ‘let’s just have fun’.

“He’d been really patient, they fielded really well, he hits the ball really hard but was hitting it to fielders and I said, ‘just wait, it’ll come, just a slight change of angle on your bat and it’ll be four’.

“They were good cricket shots too, lofted cover shots for six, good crickets shots, they weren’t just slogs.

“It was certainly a phenomenal innings, you don’t see that in any grade … as you go along you pinch yourself while you’re out there in that position.

“It wasn’t until later in the evening one of the kids pointed out that Benny and I beat (East Sandringham’s) score by one run alone which was pretty cool.”

Ben McDonald after he was awarded the Kim Pitt MVP for Highett West in the SECA's 2024/25 Pullen Shield final. Picture: Facebook/Jess Flahive.

Unsurprisingly, McDonald would be judged as best afield in the clash.

McInerney said the pair didn’t give the Zebras too many chances, aside from a sharp caught and bowled that was put down later on in McDonald’s innings.

“It worked in our favour, they had a few shots at the stumps and missed and the luck went our way, with a score like that you’ve got to ride your luck as well and put the pressure back on them,” McInerney said.

“It was a hot day, they obviously dropped their heads, the talk died off.

“When you go and play against East Sandy, they’re a really vocal crowd, they’re a big crowd. I said to the boys at the start of the day it’s quite intimidating going there, there would be a lot of noise.

“Fortunately with a score like that the crowd tends to calm down a fair bit.”

Skipper Kristian McInerney celebrates his grand final ton batting for Highett West in the SECA's 2024/25 Pullen Shield final. Picture: Facebook/Jess Flahive.

The knock capped off a phenomenal stretch of form for McInerney too, who made a decisive 205-ball 118 against Hampton United in the semi-final a week prior.

For Highett West, the victory also marked back-to-back promotions.

Last season, the Kookaburras triumphed in the SECA’s fifth tier E Grade. They will begin the next campaign in the Quiney Shield, which is the competition’s third rung.

“It’s massive, it’s been a massive step for us,” McInerney said.

“The score is one thing but there’s not a lot of clubs that go up a grade and win that grade in the first year. We’ll go up again, that in itself is unheard of.”

McInerney’s wife Lucy is the club’s first female president and has been in the role for two seasons, overseeing both premierships.

“Our premiership in particular is not won by only the 11 guys on the field, it’s a real team effort,” McInerney said.

“It’s the people that do all the hard yards behind the scenes.”