Hall and Meehan crush Lions, Pies secure flag hat-trick

AN UNREAL performance by one of the best bats in the Geelong Cricket Association (GCA) was the perfect way to cement North Geelong’s dynasty at South Barwon Reserve last Saturday.

Sam Hall’s 104-run hit parade alongside Casey Meehan’s 49 sounded off on what could only be described as a one-sided affair against East Belmont in the GCA’s Division 1 grand final, walking off Reynolds Oval winning by 10 wickets.

The win helped the Magpies to one of sport’s biggest achievements in repeating as champions for three-straight seasons.
“We’re over the moon!” Magpies captain Tom Mathieson said post-game.

“Last year’s win we felt more relieved, but this one we all feel proud.

“I know first-hand how hard this group has worked and after finishing the season fourth in the standings, just to get here to the final was an achievement in itself, but to get that three-peat is just next-level stuff.”

It was Mathieson that got the ball rolling to start the game, bowling Lions opener Shane McNamara at 1/7, before East Belmont captain Sean O’Neill was called upon to steady the ship.

Magpies bowler Thomas Bagg struck next earning wickets on Hayden McMahon and Jordan Rossi, before Andrew Fergusson made the key out in hitting O’Neill’s pad at 4/115.

East Belmont’s batters only contributed 47 more runs before the 50 overs were up for the Lions, finishing on 8/162 with the gauntlet laid down for the reigning premiers.

After knocking in 154 runs against South Barwon in the semi-finals, all eyes were on left-hander Sam Hall and boy oh boy did he deliver.

East Belmont’s bowlers could do nothing but watch as each delivery was smacked across the reserve like a ping pong ball.

Ultimately, the partnership of Meehan and Hall mowed down East Belmont’s 162-run total in 18 overs.

Hall’s 104 runs and Meehan’s 49 would go down as one of the most impressive partnerships in GCA grand final history.

The obvious choice for man of the match, Hall said post-game that he didn’t expect to play like he did.

“I didn’t expect to do that at all, but when Casey and I are together against East Belmont we tend to do alright,” Hall said.

“We thought we’d chance our arms and luckily it paid off and there came a time we just wanted to get the job done as quickly as possible and leave no doubts on the pitch.

“We hadn’t put together a decent performance since I think the last game against Bell Post Hill, so to do the same against South Barwon the next week, we did the most important thing which was to play well at the right time.”