The Hills Cricket Association (HCA) won the Harry Meyer Shield for a record 17th time after defeating Alexandra & Eastern Hills (AEHCA) by 15 runs in a thriller at Birdwood Oval today. Alexandra & Eastern Hills won the toss and sent Hills into bat, which appeared to be a good decision as Hills slumped to 3/31 in the eighth over. Hills skipper Jordan Neis-Beer was joined by Adam Shearwood and this pair set about resurrecting the innings with a 68-run fourth-wicket stand before Neis-Beer departed for 37 (84 balls). Shearwood was joined by Rohan Reid in another good partnership worth 64 runs before Shearwood was dismissed for an important 49 (106). Reid then took over with a punishing 74 not out from 64 balls (2 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) as he and Jake Turnbull (18 not out) lifted Hills to 5/218 from their 50 overs. Adam Clements (2/37) and Mitch Weeks (2/50) were the leading wicket takers for Alexandra & Eastern Hills. 

Alexandra & Eastern Hills were also in early trouble in the run chase as they slipped to 2/22 with Hills opening bowler Steve Featherstone (2/37) snaring both wickets. Tanner King (24) added 69 runs for the third wicket with Weeks, but when Weeks was dismissed for 62 (71 balls), three more wickets fell to leave AEHCA at 7/145 and Hills were right on top. Clements was still in for Alexandra & Eastern Hills and he remained their big hope of victory. Ty Watson, who had only bowled three overs for the carnival, was becoming the unlikely hero with the ball for Hills, as he snared 4/41 from his 10-over spell. The game turned once again with Clements and Matt Martin (30 not out) edging their side towards victory with a partnership worth 37 runs before Reid (2/10), on for his first over of the innings, got the crucial wicket of Clements for 42 (73). Reid got another breakthrough, while the game was ended with a run out in the 49th over with Alexandra & Eastern Hills bowled out for 203 to cue celebrations for the Hills team as they secured back-to-back titles.