BRYCE Shersby was the toast of Serpentine Jarrahdale Blues after he led the 6th Grade side to a gripping grand final victory over Kenwick in the South Metropolitan Cricket Association.
The bowler claimed man of the match honours after finishing with a fine 7-38 as the Blues claimed a nail-biting three run win.
It felt like a repeat of last week’s low scoring semi final victory, as the Blues batted first but failed to make it three figures on the scoreboard.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWDespite sitting comfortably with 2-42 at tea, the dismissal of Bill Evans (30 from 137 balls) after the break triggered a collapse as they were eventually dismissed for 96 in the 61st over.
Kenwick started day two positively to reach 24 runs without a wicket, before Shersby claimed two in two balls to strike a blow.
Despite the wickets, Kenwick continued to bat positively and reached 42 before they lost three in quick succession to leave them at 5-45.
A mini revival took the hosts score to 5-72 at tea and they once again looked in the box seat, only for Aaron Butler (who finished with 3-22) and Shersby to strike once more, reducing Kenwick to 8-75.
Eleven runs were added before the ninth wicket fell at 86, but some dogged resistance set up a grandstand finish with Kenwick requiring four with one wicket in hand.
It was fitting Shersby, bowling his 22nd consecutive over, took the winning wicket, clean bowling Tony Wright (34) to complete an incredible victory and claim the 6th Grade premiership.
ARMADALE has capped off a strong season with a premiership win in the One Day E competition.
Taking on Phoenix, Armadale won the toss but found themselves in trouble with the loss of an early wicket.
Despite this the occasion didn’t phase Rhett Jones, who went on a rampage alongside teammate Lee Cover.
Cover, who scored 20 runs, played the anchor role to perfection, feeding Jones the strike in a partnership of 99.
Jones punished any loose bowling and smashed 83 off just 76 balls, including eight fours and three sixes.
Three quick wickets saw Armadale fall to 4-132, but Peter Smith (29) and Gene Aldridge (31no) then teamed up in a brilliant partnership of 56 in eight overs to steer Armadale to a formidable 6-202.
Smith faced only 25 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours, while Aldridge’s 31no also came off 25 balls and included two sixes.
Phoenix counter attacked strongly in their innings and looked on target at 2-110, despite a tidy spell by Warren Francis and a handy 1-18 for Peter Smith.
Jim McClure then struck the vital blow, getting the scalp of Phoenix’s top scoring batsman.
Phoenix continued to attack and again looked dangerous at 3-137 when Cover struck another dagger blow, before Rhett Jones was brought into the attack and railroaded the middle order.
With the run rate starting to climb Jones struck three times in as many overs to tilt the game in Armadale’s favour.
He would finish with figures of 3-13.
Josh Thatcher also took two handy wickets before Jim McClure returned to the attack to take the final wicket and see Phoenix dismissed for 164.