OUYEN Rams’ triple premiership quest has been completed with a dominant grand final performance over neighbourly rival Tempy Tigers.
The Red Cliffs Cricket Association heavyweight side won 13 consecutive games on their way to a third straight A Grade title, secured by 103-run victory on Saturday at Quandong Park’s Onion Patch oval.
Opener Conor Schultz, who led the way with an impressive 80 from 100 deliveries, said the achievement was not something anyone within the cub through was possible a few years ago.
“Just an unbelievable feeling, it’s a great team,” he said.
“Everyone knows their role and it’s a really settled side.
“A couple of years ago we never thought we’d end up winning three in a row.
“It’s a special feeling, and for the Ouyen township as well, they were right behind us the whole way and provided great support for us at the game.”
It was a rough result for Tempy, who have now lost four consecutive A Grade grand finals.
Schultz was impressive early, sharing an opening stand of 63 with Sam Mead (14), before putting on another 83 with Daniel Pryse (56).
The Rams finished at 5/192, while for the Tempy bowlers Blake Smith (2/17) got bang for buck in his three overs, while Nic Monaghan (2/40) and Zak Robertson (1/27) were also among the wickets.
“Tempy are a good team and I was just lucky to get a few out of the middle,” Schultz said.
“The whole batting line-up was pretty solid. Sam and I got off to a good start before Daniel and I kept it going.
“My whole thought process was not to get bogged down again but just get the runs going. We felt because it was a flat pitch we needed to get a good score and we were able to do that.”
The Tigers batters would need to push to reach the 193-run target, but the line and length from the Rams bowlers was enough to give them trouble in doing so.
Ryan McKay’s 29 from 30 and Tate Hulland’s patient unbeaten 23 from 68 deliveries were the only double figure scores as Tempy were all out for 89.
Tim Vine had the best Ouyen figures with 3/18, while Pryse, Daniel Kay and Travis Parsons all claimed two each.
“The bowling unit was fantastic, everyone knows what they need to do,” Schultz said.
“They just kept it nice and tight and waited for them to make the mistakes, knowing they had to push on if they wanted to make the total.
“It’s an awesome team to be playing with.”
In the B Grade a stone’s throw away on the high school oval, Darby McLean had a field day with bat and ball to lead Curlwaa Islanders to a 101-run win over Nursery Ridge.
McLean scored a blistering 105 from 69 deliveries before leading the bowling with 4/17 in a player-of-the-match performance.
In a scoreline similar to the A Grade’s, Curlwaa finished at 5/193, before Ridge were all out for 92 in response
