HEATHCOTE is celebrating premiership glory after a six-wicket victory in the Castlemaine District Cricket Association’s A-reserve clash with Newstead.<\/p>\n
The Saints showed what a difference a week makes as they bounced back from being thrashed in the second semi-final on home turf at Store Edge Park in Barrack Reserve to win the 2025-26 season decider at Thompsons Transport Oval in Castlemaine’s Wesley Hill precinct.<\/p>\n
It was a gutsy call by Heathcote captain Brad Polson to send Newstead in to bat.<\/p>\n
After the dismissal of Charlie Chapman with the score on 11 it was Kris Walter and Cameron Hepburn who teamed for a 41-run stand.<\/p>\n
Both were dismissed when the score was on 52.<\/p>\n
Momentum then swung wickedly the Saints way.<\/p>\n
Spin bowler and Heathcote president Nick Malavisi claimed his second wicket when Ciaran Gardner was caught and bowled.<\/p>\n
From 4-56 the Newstead line-up slumped to 7-58 as captain Lachlan Park, Faolan Gardner and Gerald Chapman were dismissed in a Malavisi hat-trick across two overs on his way to Player of the Match honours.<\/p>\n
Newstead was dismissed for 92 in the 32nd over as Malavisi finished with 5-19 off eight overs and Tim Gleeson captured 2-18 off eight overs.<\/p>\n
Other wicket-takers were Liam Hubble, 1-12 off six; Fraser Maddren, 1-5 off two; and Paddy Carmody, 1-11.<\/p>\n
In the chase for victory the Saints were in early strife when vice-captain Brad Rowe was dismissed when the score was on seven.<\/p>\n
Brett Polson’s innings of 19 was ended to make it 2-24.<\/p>\n
When Brad Polson became Steven Shovan’s second wicket the heat was on as the Saints were 3-30.<\/p>\n
Eight runs later and Angus McIntosh was caught off a Shovan delivery.<\/p>\n
A week earlier the Saints middle and lower-order could not halt Newstead’s attack.<\/p>\n
In the match which matters most Cale Polson and Tim Gleeson teamed for an unbeaten stand of 58 as the Saints marched to victory in the 25th over.<\/p>\n
Polson struck three sixes and three fours in a knock of 34 not out as Gleeson hit four boundaries on his way to 29 as Shovan took 3-25 for Newstead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HEATHCOTE is celebrating premiership glory after a six-wicket victory in the Castlemaine District Cricket Association’s A-reserve clash with Newstead. The Saints showed what a difference a week makes as they bounced back from being thrashed in the second semi-final on home turf at Store Edge Park in Barrack Reserve to win the 2025-26 season decider […]<\/p>\n