READ MORE – Twenty20 grand final Photos
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STRATHDALE-Maristians has reaffirmed its status as the Bendigo District Cricket Association’s Twenty 20 power, winning a fifth title at the expense of Kangaroo Flat by six runs at the QEO on Wednesday night.
After winning the toss and batting the Suns fought their way to 8-126 after being on the ropes early following a strong start with the ball by the Roos.
After just 25 balls the Suns were reeling at 3-14 and in desperate need of a partnership to resurrect their faltering innings.
Among the early wickets to fall was opener James Vlaeminck, who after making a century in his previous T20 innings was bowled by Dylan Klemm (1-20) in the second over for three.
The Suns also lost fellow opener Cameron Taylor (4) to a direct hit run-out from Chris Barber at mid-wicket.
From the precarious 3-14 Suns’ skipper Ben DeAraugo and Andrew Chalkley – the BDCA’s all-time T20 leading run-scorer – worked to rebuild the innings.
They added a steadying 36 before DeAraugo (12) skied a catch to Roos’ skipper Dylan Gibson at cover in Ryan Bell’s first over.
And when Chalkey (35) was trapped lbw trying to reverse sweep Gibson (1-10) soon after the Suns were 5-61 in the 12th over and the Roos further tightened their grip.With wickets tumbling regularly apart from the Chalkley-DeAraugo partnership, the Roos kept constant heat on the Suns, who finished with a late flurry.
Despite being eight wickets down, the Suns’ pair of Linton Jacobs (20 n.o.) – who hit the only six of the innings – and Jacob DeAraugo (8 n.o.) scored 27 off the final two overs to push the required run-rate for the Roos beyond a run-a-ball.
Bell’s 3-19 off three overs were the Roos’ best figures. As well as dismissing DeAraugo, Bell – the youngest player in the Kangaroo Flat side – also picked up the wickets of Adrian Pappin (16) and Chris Sole (0) in his third over.
In reply, the Roos were restricted to 8-120 to fall to 0-3 in T20 grand finals.
Kangaroo Flat marquee player Matthew Underwood was in ominous touch opening the batting and while he was at the crease the Roos were threatening.
Underwood smacked 44 off 38 (seven fours, one six), with the Roos’ score 56 when he was bowled by James Vlaeminck (2-16) playing a reverse sweep in the 11th over.
Behind Underwood’s 44, the next best score for the Roos was the 25 Daniel Barber made.
The Roos had started the last over to be bowled by Suns’ marquee player Sole at 7-115 and needing 12 to win.
Sole finished the job for the Suns, taking 1-5 off the final over to finish with figures of 2-9 off his four.
