Devils in 7th Heaven
RDCA Grand Final 18/3/17
Olympic Dam 9/173 defeated
Roxby Miners 6/170
In an absolute thriller of a game the Olympic Dam Devils have won their seventh premiership in a row after holding on in the final over against a gallant Miners outfit.
Skipper Mick Nelson won the all important toss and elected to bat.
Opting to go with the sturdy combination of Trotta and Sieburn
To their credit they batted with great intent taking Glover for 10 off his first over and really setting the tone. Sieburn (28) although not pretty to watch played a gutsy innings , taking his chances and frustrating the OD attack.
Trotta (49) was at his vintage best as he wound back the clock with a crucial and composed innings.
When Geraghty and Glover couldn't break through it was the spin twins Vandeleur (2/29) and Lucas Holbrook (2/21) who got the breakthroughs.
Sieburn holed out to beeps in the 16th over with the score on 66.
The Dangerous Allard in at first drop to help move the Miners to a strong position of 1/79 at the drinks break.
Prez built pressure and had Allard caught off a top edge by beeps at point for 11. Greenbank was next in and soon showed why he is one of the best pure athletes to walk onto the oval. His placement of anything loose and determination allowed him to score at will , assisted by the experience of Trotta. Beeps got Trotta to pop one to I'anson at mid on with the total at 114
Greenbank (64) was a shining light before Seb Holbrook (2/29) nabbed him caught behind.
The OD bowlers and fielders really lifted in the last 10 overs not allowing the Miners get away from them
Danger men Connor and Nelson not able to find or clear the rope which everyone was anticipating.
The Miners posting a strong total of 170
Which could have easily been 200+
OD Skipper Geraghty made the call for Seb Holbrook to jump up the order and open with the Goliath Selkirk.
The two Devils batsmen put their stamp on the game and didn't give the opposition a chance to find any momentum.
The openers were travelling comfortably at 5 runs an over until the introduction of the crafty Allard who trapped Selkirk (17) in front with a quicker ball. A huge wicket for the Miners who found their voice and were up and about. OD 1/80 after 17 overs.
The evergreen Craig Nicholls strode to the crease bringing a world of experience with him.
He soon got the hang of Allard (2/24)
And along with Holbrook navigated swing king Nelson putting away anything loose and pushing singles.
Holbrook (78) was also trapped by Allard but had batted beautifully to give his team every chance of sealing the game.
When Hill (4) missed a Greenbank full burger which sent the zinger bails flying it was game on.
It looked like Nicholls and Glover would steer the Devils home but a ugly run out of the anchor Nicholls (28) had the Devils in panic mode.
Sean Connor (2/18) stepped up in his second spell and clean bowled Glover (4) and Harris for a duck exposing the tail of Olympic Dam
I'anson holed out and it looked like the Miners might be in with a huge sniff.
The gap between runs required was bridging and when Vandeleur came out at 9 OD required 4 off 7 balls
At the start of the final Dadleh over Beeps looked to cover himself in glory and launched the first ball into orbit.
No other man on the field would have even got close but unfortunately for the Devils Jared Greenbank was patrolling cow corner taking one of the best outfield catches you will ever see a metre inside the rope.
This sent the red and white army into raptures , an unbelievable moment.
Rayner joined Prez at the crease and it was Rayner who skied a ball to mid on where Nelson put down a difficult chance , the Devils scampering back for two to win the game.
29 sundries really hurting the Miners , 17 wides effectively giving OD an extra 3 overs.
A great result for OD winning without a dominant performance from Selkirk or Glover.
The Miners would feel they were a couple of bowlers short and not pushing the score towards 200. Mind you if you make 170 in the first dig of a GF you'd be pretty happy.
An absolute thrilling contest with either team deserving of the victory
Amazing character shown by both teams in front of a great crowd filled with families.
Seb Holbrook named man of the match with his 78 and 2/29
Bring on next season!