Sport
21 March, 2025
Colts and Brook in A grade final
After 13 rounds of a one day and two day regular season and two captivating semi-finals, only Colts Phelans and Carisbrook remain to see who can call themselves 2024/25 A grade premiers.
The grand final pits one of the most consistent teams throughout the season in the Colts against arguably the most in-form two-day team in the competition.
Despite finishing 18 points behind the Colts in the regular season, Carisbrook have certainly earned their spot in the season finale, ending the 60 game unbeaten run of Laanecoorie Dunolly in the semi-final.
It was truly a whole-team effort to vanquish the five-time reigning premiers, with five players scoring above 20 against Laane’s vaunted bowling attack, headlined by MDCA team of the year members Liam Hurse and Dean Nalder.
Consistent breakthroughs from Atticus Cullinan, Ritik Yadav and Chris Lee against Laane’s talented batting lineup allowed Carisbrook to take a famous 112-run victory.
After five years away from the A grade, Carisbrook have managed to make the grand final in their second season back in the competition.
Only the Colts stand in their way from completing a fairytale run to the title, a task which will certainly be a difficult wall to climb.
The Colts have been very close to claiming one day and two day premierships over the past half-decade, but have fallen just short against Clunes and Laane.
After missing out in the one day final against Laane by 45 runs, the Colts will be determined to make the most of their opportunity this weekend.
Key innings from Charlie Scorer and Max Jackson set the tone for the Colts against Beaufort, with late scoring from captain Rhys Egan and Ben Evans getting the Colts to 221.
While not quite a baker’s dozen, club stalwart Dayne Baker was certainly cooking with the ball on Sunday, serving up six wickets as the Colts rolled to an 89-run win.
The grand final will be the third time these two teams meet this season, with the Colts boasting a 2-0 record against Carisbrook this season.
In the opening round, the Colts set a target of 220 after Scorer top-scored with an unbeaten 52.
Multiple wickets from Scorer, Nick Henderson, Evans and Regan Goundry reduced Carisbrook to 133 despite the efforts of Nalder, who finished on 63 not out.
The two sides met again in their first two-day game of the season, with a key partnership from Hurse and Jordan Hooper allowing Carisbrook to make 211.
An even bigger 143-run partnership between Jackson and Scorer allowed the Colts to surpass the total with five wickets to spare.