THE Riverside-aligned Alchemy All-Stars are the 2014 Aussie 15s champions after denying the Westbury-aligned Cock N Bull Crusaders back-to-back titles with a 24-run victory in the grand final at Aurora Stadium last night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The All-Stars made 6-139 off their 15 overs and then restricted the Crusaders to 10-115 in reply.
Crusaders captain Dane Anderson appeared to set his side on the path to victory with an impressive knock of 33 off 15 balls which included two sixes, one of which landed over the rope in the double scoring zone for 12 runs.
Anderson combined in a good partnership with Devonport’s Brent Mullett who was equally impressive in making 20 off 15 before retiring – the pair taking the score from 2-13, after openers Sean Stevenson and Henry Terry both went cheaply, to 2-63, when Anderson retired.
But after that the Crusaders lost wickets in quick succession in the face of some good Alchemy bowling and fielding and the run chase lost momentum as they slumped to 6-72, after eight overs.
When Jonathan Chapman was stumped off Ramesh Sundra for 11 off six balls in the 10th over the Crusaders were in trouble at 7-89, needing 50 off 26 balls to win.
The pressure mounted and the task proved too great with the Crusaders struggling to a final total of 115.
Sundra was the best of the All-Stars bowlers finishing with figures of 2-15 off three overs while Alex Kerrison took 2-32.
Earlier a partnership of 32 between All-Stars batsmen Brendan Drew and Oliver Law helped steady the ship and allowed the All-Stars to reach 6-139 off their 15 overs.
Drew was the standout batsman of the innings belting a quick-fire 35 not out off his 15 balls, which included two big sixes over long-on and two fours.
Law scored 18 off 11 balls before being stumped by Crusaders keeper Brent Mullet off Richard Howe.
The pair rescued the All-Stars from early trouble at 4-37, taking the total to 5-69 when Law was dismissed.
Drew then combined in another good stand of 29 runs with Nick Grubb who scored 13 from 13 balls as the pair took the score to 98 when Grubb was bowled by Michael Lukic.
Other good contributors for the All-Stars included Ulverstone’s Josh Walmsley who hit 18 off 11 at the top of the order, including a big six over long-on.
A good cameo partnership at the end of the innings of 25 between Shannon Rumbel (11 not out off 10) and Jimmy Hortle (13 not out off 10) helped the All-Stars to reach their competitive total.
Howe was the most successful of the Crusaders’ bowlers taking 2-28 off his three overs but included one expensive over of 10 runs when Drew was in full flight.
Chapman took 1-17 and Lukic 1-33.
Drew was named as player of the final with Anderson judged best player on the losing side.
Cock N Bull Crusaders player Richard Howe won the Aussie 15s player of the series award.
Howe was the only player to poll votes in multiple games and took home a $500 prize.