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Claremont-Nedlands crush Willetton to clinch one-day title

Dustin EdwardsWestern Suburbs Weekly

CLAREMONT-Nedlands have created history, defeating Willetton by seven wickets in the one day Grand Final to become one of the greatest sides in Premier Cricket history.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Willetton got off to a shaky start, losing top order stars Iszak Milentis, James Godfrey and Cameron Bancroft to sit awkwardly at 3-46.

However, Aaron Hardie and Will Rhodes came to the crease and immediately provided a much-needed spark.

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The pair produced a hard-fought 66-run fourth-wicket partnership, boosting the total to 112 before Rhodes was removed by Bradley Hope for 31.

Hope then went on a rampage with the ball after taking his first scalp, knocking over Kallen Bond and Hardie, while Haydan Morton removed Brennan Wilson shortly after, leaving the Dragons stunned on 7-129.

Alex Hepburn managed to avoid the chaos long enough to create a gutsy 41-run seventh-wicket partnership with Waheguru Dhillon, before Hope was brought back into the attack.

He once again provided the spark for the Tigers, as he and Joel Paris took the last three wickets of the match, bowling the Dragons out for 176.

Hope was sensational throughout the innings for Claremont-Nedlands, claiming 5-28 from just 7.2 overs.

With a small target to chase down for victory, the Tigers made a strong start to the run chase, with openers Jacob Whiteaker and Nicholas Hobson scoring a quick-fire 48-run opening partnership.

The Tigers then clicked into overdrive, as Hobson teamed up superbly with Morton to blast 112 runs in a match-winning second-wicket partnership.

Although Morton was dismissed for 56 at 2-160 and Hope fell moments later on 3-163, the damage had already been done, as Hobson and Joel Paris cruised to yet another one day flag in the 33rd over.

Hobson was outstanding with the bat for the Tigers, finishing unbeaten on 73 from 80 deliveries, with seven fours coming from his blade.

Simon Mackin tried his best for the Dragons, taking all three wickets for his side, as the Dragons fell to one of the most dominant one day sides in recent memory.