Armadale’s fifth grade have capped a magnificent season by winning back-to-back flags after finishing on top of the ladder and winning a hard-fought home grand final classic against Cockburn.
Cockburn won the toss and batted and got off to a solid start to be 0/16 before Ainsley Noronha (1-15 off 10 overs) struck.
Rhys Mackie (2-22 from 13 overs) was bowling superbly at the other end, and he was rewarded with two crucial wickets to see Cockburn slump at 3-29.
Some tight bowling kept the run rate in check, but Cockburn fought back to be 4-73, with Jeff Petrie (1-12 off six overs) chipping in with another vital wicket.
By this stage Alex Pass was into another one of his lionhearted spells. He kept toiling away, giving nothing to the batsmen and regularly took wickets.
His spell of 4-39 off 22 overs ensured that the largest partnership after the fourth wicket fell was just 17.
Rhys Jones (2-11 from six overs) also bowled well at the other end to see Cockburn all out for 122 in the final over of the day.
A magnificent, disciplined, all round team performance.
On Sunday, Armadale knew it would be tough work chasing a total to win a grand final, and this proved to be the case.
Armadale lost their first wicket with the third ball of the innings and another soon after to see Armadale slump to 2-26.
Rhett Jones (32 off 44) and Rhys Jones (32 from 58) then teamed up to get momentum back on Armadale’s side, and at 2-63 Armadale looked good.
Their dismissals however saw a mini collapse as wickets fell at 63, 65, 76 and 82. This left Armadale still needing 41 runs with only four wickets in hand.
Skipper Taymon McLaughlin then stood up, betting beautifully, and putting on 15 with youngster Stan Walker.
At 7-97 the game was really in the balance.
Alex Pass then joined McLaughlin, and Pass used all of his experience to just hold up one end. He only made two off 26 deliveries, but this allowed McLaughlin to continue batting sensibly at the other end.
The pair got Armadale to 120 before Pass was dismissed, which left McLaughlin to put the finishing touches on the win.
Armadale passed the score eight down in a thrilling contest, with McLaughlin finishing on 35 not out.
Photographs – Richard Polden.
