STAR all-rounder Shac Thomas has led Gol Gol to the club’s first grand final win in Sunraysia cricket’s top grade since the 2011/12 season.
The Jamaican fell just shy of a ton on day one of the First Division decider on Saturday, making a patient 95 off 194 balls as Gol Gol were dismissed for 247 off 78.5 overs against Irymple.
He backed it up with the ball a day later, snaring 4/60 as he and left-arm spinner Nick Jensen (4/69) stymied the Swallows’ batting line-up.
The visitors fell 63 runs short of victory, ensuring that Gol Gol returned to premiership glory after being dominated in deciders by Mildura Settlers in recent years.
Thomas had strong support during Gol Gol’s afternoon at the crease on Saturday, with Tyson Adamson (39), Wade Hancock (21), Adam Thomson (21) and Jeremy Barnes (18) each making solid contributions.
Chase Stone had the Swallows’ best bowling figures of 4/47 off 16.5 overs, with Bailey Anderson taking 2/76 off 22 overs.
The Swallows’ innings began poorly, with skipper Mark Thomson dismissed by Matt Cameron for a duck.
Bryson Lush (47) and Nick Giofre (37) then steadied the ship with a 71-run partnership before the middle order failed to fire.
Only Billy Phelan (41 not out) provided late-order resistance as Thomas cleaned up the tail.
Meanwhile, Ouyen Rams won the Red Cliffs Cricket Association’s A Grade grand final in a low-scoring contest against Tempy on Saturday.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat, the Rams were bundled out for 75, with Zac Robertson taking 4/18 for Tempy.
In reply, Tempy could only muster 61 as Rams opening bowlers Alex Morrish (4/8) and Brad Parsons (3/10) stole the show.
In the B Grade decider, Nursery Ridge (6/128) defeated Curlwaa (110 all out).
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