Winning the toss, the Good Guys raced away to be 1/92 after 90 minutes play, before Gracie went for a terrific 62. Schaafs worked hard at the other end, and batted through the entire first session.
However, lunch did us no favours, and when Schaafs went for a hard working 33, only Edwards (21) showed any real fight from the rest- MUCC all out 162, 30 minutes after tea- losing a poor 9/70!
Gracie raises the bat for a terrific 50
With 22 overs remaining, the Good Guys came out fighting....an early wicket fell to Niraj, but shortly after he knocked over the stumps on a no-ball and it started to look like the Covies would finish day 1 well on top. But then the Brown show started. Browny ripped the heart out of the Covies top and middle order, and when stumps were finally called, Lane Cove were reduced to 7/68. Brown with 5/29 (so far)- and a new club 4th Grade season wicket record.
Day 2, and a huge first session awaited both teams- the Covies needing 95 runs, the Good Guys 3 wickets for 1st innings points.
The day started brilliantly for Club Mac, with Browny hitting the stumps with the 2nd ball of the day- Covies 8/69 and in plenty of trouble. But then the fightback started, and slowly but surely, the Covies started to put the pressure back on the Macquarie boys.... 8/110 and the target was suddenly within reach. But then Niraj stepped up, and quickly snared the final two wickets to give the Good Guys 1st innings points, a handy 43 run lead, and one hand firmly on the trophy.
Niraj hits the stumps and its a 1st innings lead to MUCC
However, with 80 odd overs left in the day, the game was still there to be taken away from Club Mac. But despite losing 3 wickets, a terrific partership between Edo (61*), and Browny (38*) steered the Good Guys out of danger. Not long after tea, the game was over and Macquarie University Cricket Club were crowned the 2007/08 4th Grade Shires Premiers!!
61* for Edwards
Congratulations to Lane Cove, who fought hard all game, and matched us blow for blow except for that last hour at the end of day 1, where Club Mac took the upper hand, The match was played in tremendous spirit, and the Covies should be very proud of their efforts for the season.
Leading from the front as always, Browny was rightly awarded the Player of the Grand Final- his 6/54 (including 5/29 in 11 overs at the end of day 1) and 38* in a tense second innings the difference between the teams.
MUCC 162 (D Gracie 62, M Schaafsma 33, C Edwards 21) & 3/148 (C Edwards 61*, G Brown 38*) DEFEATED Lane Cove 119 (G Brown 6/54, N Pathak 3/36)
Another wicket for Browny