Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) won their first Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ‘A’ grade premiership in 19 years following a nail-biting one-run victory against Mount Lofty at Heathfield Oval yesterday. The Redcaps began the final over of the game needing six runs to win with last pair Dave Bennett and Max Hawke at the crease. SCIB bowler Beau Thomas (1/30) was entrusted with bowling the last over of the season and he proved to be the hero. The final over went for just four runs to set off wild scenes of celebration for the SCIB faithful as their side prevailed by the barest of margins. 

Earlier, Redcaps skipper Jordan Neis-Beer won the toss and had no hesitation in sending SCIB into bat on a cool but fine day. Scott Creek Ironbank got off to an excellent start with Thomas Watton and skipper Adam Shearwood putting on 107 runs for the first wicket before Watton departed for 35 (83 balls). Shearwood was next to go for a fine 67 (109 balls), courtesy of a brilliant direct hit run out by Adam Carthew from backward point as Shearwood came back for a second run. The Redcaps were turning the screws with the ball and in the field as regular wickets fell. Daniel Desengo with 29 (34 balls) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as his side posted 9/176 from their 45 overs. Josh Healey was the surprise packet with the ball as he snared 3/34 from his nine overs of medium pace bowling. Carthew bowled well to finish with 2/28 (9) and also took an absolute ‘screamer’ in the gully to dismiss Aaron Thompson. 

The Redcaps lost opener Nick Justice early but his opening partner Healey took the SCIB bowling on, smashing a quickfire 61 from 55 balls (6 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) as the Redcaps reached 1/72. After Healey’s dismissal, the game tightened up as regular wickets fell with Ben Thomas, a veteran from the last Scott Creek Ironbank ‘A’ grade premiership in 2004/05, snaring 3/14 from four overs, while Daniel Key took 2/34 (9). Carthew (22), Brad Hutton (19) and Peter Giannes (18) all made handy contributions but it wasn’t enough as the Redcaps came up short at 9/175. 

It was a fitting end to a great season in the HCA with the competition extremely tight as was proven in the final game of the season.