An enormous congratulations to Dale Putland and the Leeming Spartan Fifth Grade for defeating East Fremantle in the two-day grand final on Sunday!
Having needed to win their final 7 matches in order to make the grand final, the Spartan Fifth Grade won their decider in emphatic fashion, rolling East Fremantle for just 75 in the first innings, largely due to Gavin Poller’s 6 wickets (including the first four of the match)!
Download the premiership photo here!
Shayne Hersey ensured that there would be no issues in chasing down the small total, quickly smashing 51 before a late collapse restricted Leeming to 115 all out. In all, only three batsmen passed ten (Darrin Usher making a vital 27 and Andrew Gibbs made 14 to go with his three wickets earlier in the day), but it was an important first innings victory with the threat of rain lingering all day.
Despite taking the 40 run lead, East Fremantle were keen to return the following day, and without a cloud in sight, they declared at 6/123, setting the Spartans 84 in one hour for an outright victory. Shayne Hersey again proved invaluable taking two wickets.
With risk of a possible collapse, especially after Darren Woodward was run out leaving us at 1/3, our fifths could have been forgiven for playing out the final session for a first innings victory. However, Hersey smashed 40 and the big game player Russell Lee finished unbeaten on 36 to give the Spartans an 8 wicket outright victory! Leeming finished 2/84 from just 14.5 overs.
A great turn out from the Spartan army, who were able to witness our first and only premiership of the 2015/16 season, and our first in the 5th Grade Two-Day competition since 2012/13 (which was captained by Herse).
It capped off a remarkable year for Putland’s side, who lost their opening five matches and were always struggling to make finals, needing to win their final 5 matches straight, 3 of which were against the top three sides. However, once they did reach the finals they made it count, rolling CBC in the semi for 85 and East Fremantle in the grand final for 75.
Gavin Poller was the man of the match for putting the game almost beyond doubt in the opening session, completely annihilating the East Fremantle top order on his way to six incredible wickets!
An incredible performance from the entire fifth grade and we couldn’t be happier for them!