Port Stephens A and B-grade cricket teams crowned the club's 30th anniversary celebrations by claiming all three titles on offer in their respective grades.
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The Pythons’ seven-wicket victory against Windsor Castle in Saturday’s A-grade gave them their fourth premiership in a row and completed the 2016-17 title trifecta with Port also pocketing the minor premiership and T20 titles.
Port Stephens B-grade team completed the same title trifecta with a four-wicket win against Chelmsford Hotel in the grand final.
But the Pythons had to fight hard for both titles, finding themselves at 3-22 in the A-grade final and 5-57 in B-grade before steadying to chase down the targets.
Port all-rounder Adam Butler said skipper Josh Moxey and Craig Hunter took control when No.3 Joshua Mulligan was dismissed for 15 with the score at 3-22.
“Josh really put together a captain’s innings he scored 67 in 67 balls, while Craig performed the anchor role finishing on 33,” Butler said.
“We were in a bit of trouble, but we didn’t lose another wicket after Josh and Craig came together.”
Butler said Windsor Castle put up a great fight, but were hampered with key paceman Harry King missing the match.
Jarrod Moxey and Lleyton Eveleigh were the chief destroyers with the ball for Port, claiming 3-21 and 3-15 respectively. Allan Baldwin (2-37) and Matthew Monaghan (2-10) also picked up a brace each.
In B-grade, Port bowlers Stuart Ellis (3-15), Darren Morrison (3-14) and Jason Eveleigh (2-7) tore through Chelmsford Hotel’s batting line-up dismissing them for 63.
Chelmsford made Port work hard for the win claiming six wickets. Simon Dalton (18), Nathan Humble (17) and Warren Herbert (10) got the Pythons home.
Lochinvar claimed the minor and major double by defeating Dungog in C Grade. Dungog’s batsman had few anwers to Brian Lawrence who claimed 5-12 as they were restricted to 9/65.
Lochinvar skipper Will Bischoff top scored with 34 in their four-wicket win.
Bowthorne won D-grade against Tenambit Morpeth Bulls and Hinton took the E-grade title after chasing down Old Victoria’s 6/100.