The Hills Cricket Association (HCA) has won a history making fourth consecutive Harry Meyer Shield and in the process, a record 15th title overall following a thrilling one-wicket win over Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Meadows today. The game started 90 minutes late after a change of venue (from Kangarilla) and persistent showers, with AEHCA skipper Shaun Tait winning the toss and deciding to bat.

Hills made the perfect start with Jack Woollard knocking opener Greg Hassold’s off stump out of the ground with the second ball of the match. Alex Weeks and Ben Matthews then combined to add 37 runs for the second wicket before Matthews was removed for 11. Weeks went shortly afterwards for 26 (38 balls) and AEHCA were in strife at 3/41. In a big blow for the Hills, Rohan Reid hurt his shoulder attempting a catch at fine leg and had to leave the field immediately. The dismissal of Weeks brought Tait and Ben Warren together for what was looking like a decisive partnership but it wasn’t to be as Warren was caught one-handed at short mid-wicket by Hills skipper Jake Turnbull off the bowling of Frank Clements for 12. Shortly afterwards, Steve Featherstone enticed a false shot from Tait (6) with Adam Carthew holding a good catch at backward point as Alexandra & Eastern Hills slipped to a precarious 5/61 (20) at drinks. Steady wickets continued to fall after the break with only Luke Timmins (28) and Adam Clements (15) showing any resistance as AEHCA were bowled out in the 35th over for just 110. Woollard, in his first game for the HCA, took 4/22 (5.5) and he was well supported by Featherstone who snared 3/24 (8). 

The Hills combination would’ve been confident of chasing down the small total and they got off to a good start with Featherstone and veteran Haydn Reid (15) adding 28 for the first wicket. ‘Feathers’ was looking good as he and Turnbull advanced the score to 48 before Featherstone was dismissed for 18. Adam Clements was the man to get the breakthroughs as he bowled an excellent spell to finish with 2/10 (8). Tait brought his spinner Mitch Weeks (2/21) on from the town end and he made an immediate impact as he dismissed Aaron Smith (0) and Turnbull (10) to see Hills at 4/62 (20) at the drinks break. Clements (14) was doing a good job and he released some pressure as he hit Weeks for a big six straight down the ground as he and James Kittel-Neill (8) put their team into a winning position at 5/88 before Tait struck to take 3/17 from his eight over spell and Hills were in trouble at 7/92. All eyes were on the stand at Meadows as the injured Rohan Reid came out to bat and immediately got off the mark first ball. Woollard hit a couple of boundaries and with three overs left, Hills needed nine runs to win. Warren was brought on for his first over of the day and promptly picked up Woollard (13) and Mitch Thomas (0) as the game swung back in favour of the AEHCA with number 11 Adam Carthew joining the wounded Reid at the crease. A single off Tait’s last over left Reid on strike with seven runs required to win. Reid hit the second ball of the over for four then sliced the next one over backward point to leave the scores level with three balls left. The next ball was a full toss and Reid dispatched it to the mid-wicket boundary to cue celebrations for the Hills lads. 

It was a fitting end to an excellent three days of Cricket. Full credit to all the associations involved for playing in extreme heat on the weekend followed by wet weather and a change of venue for the final. Hills showed their fighting spirit to win their fourth title in a row for the first time while Alexandra & Eastern Hills were a worthy opponent and almost pulled off a miraculous victory. Roll on January 2022!