Manypeaks skipper the humble hero as lengthy premiership drought broken

Manypeaks have broken a lengthy premiership drought dating back 2006-07, notching a 61-run win over Railways in Saturday’s Albany Cricket Association B-grade grand final at Hard North

Peaks and the Tigers met in the first time in a B-grade decider since 2006-07, which Peaks won to cap three straight titles.

However, Peaks had lost all three grand final appearances since that last triumph and the Tigers had not tasted success since 2009-10 to set up an intriguing encounter.

Peaks captain Kelvin Tombleson proved the hero, helping deliver his club premiership success as he played an important role with both bat and ball.

Tombleson made 22 at the top of the order as Peaks went on to set a competitive 8-134 from their 45 overs with veteran Peter Owen top scoring with 29 to go with contributions from Tom Sutherland (20) and Trent Nesbitt (17 not out).

Owen and Sutherland restored order in the Peaks innings after James Coad (3-22) snared three quick wickets approaching drinks.

Nesbitt snared the first breakthrough with the ball for Peaks removing Sam Slater on 4 and then after the Tigers had moved to 40 it was a spell from Tombleson that changed the game.

The effective seamer bowled Ryan Davies (18) and then trapped Alan Pietersen in front first ball.

Four overs later he made further inroads in the Tigers middle order, this time snaring the prized wicket of Nathan De Graaf on 16 and then Ben Scott for a duck to leave Peaks 5-45.

That quickly became 6-46 when Bailey Cavanagh crashed through Clinton Ridley’s defences and from there Peaks were able to run through the tail as they bowled them out for 73.

Tombleson was named man of the match by the umpires after his outstanding nine-over spell that returned 4-9 while Nesbitt (2-18) and Cavanagh (2-18) played major parts in Peaks’ triumph.

Collingwood Park won their first C-grade premiership, prevailing in a tense finish by 26 runs over Denmark at Centennial Oval.

Kohen Lemin (40) and Ross Barnett (29) shared in a 55-run partnership helped Park reach 8-157 from their 45 overs.

The Magpies made a strong start in their chase to secure back-to-back titles but their middle order faltered to leave them 7-89.

A late fightback led by Jai Frantom (20) sent the game into the final few overs as he combined with Jack Nairn to put on 20 runs for the final wicket.

Frantom was finally caught off the bowling of Callum Duffield in the 44th over, the Magpies dismissed for 131 to hand Park the title.

Lemin was named man of the match in the win after his 40 and then 2-35 off nine overs.