It was a Gisborne and District Cricket Association double at the Cricket Willow Region T20 grand finals on Tuesday.
It’s the first year that two teams from the association have competed in the two-tiered competition, with Riddell and Ashfield taking out the titles.
Riddell, which played in the division 1 final a couple of years, ago, extracted revenge on Wendouree, which defeated it last time.
Captain-coach Heath Wadden said the key to the victory was being able to bat out all 20 overs in a game that was played in front of a formidable crowd of friends and family.
“We got off to a flyer, with Cameron Moran (35 runs) and Matt Darby (24) setting the foundation,” Wadden said. “We lost three or four quick wickets in the middle order then looked to consolidate before attacking at the end of the innings.”
Riddell made 9-145 before dismissing Wendouree for 130.
“They had to go at seven runs an over,” Wadden said.
“Matt Livingstone and Cameron bowled well to start the innings then Matt Darby came on to continue his form from the Saturday match.”
Wadden himself took 3-19, breaking a stump in the process. Included in Riddell’s winning side were C-grade captain Heath Brown and G-grade skipper Cameron Barker.
Riddell now goes on to statewide finals, starting later this year.
In the division 2 shield, Ashfield defeated Carngham. With about 30 supporters making the trip to Hepburn Springs, Ashfield had plenty of support for its debut in the competition.
Captain-coach Jason King said it was a well-rounded batting performance that produced a score of 8-140. Ashfield then bowled Carngham out for 114, winning by 26 runs.
“Youngsters Michael Fox (28 not out) and Nathan Anderson (20 runs) led the way, with everyone chipping in as we kept the scoreboard ticking over,” King said.
“In reply, they lost two wickets in the first over thanks to Matt Bulluss, who opened the bowling alongside Branden Paul, who’s been a star performer in T20s for the past few years.
“Branden and Matt set it up for us with the ball and we held our catches, which makes a difference.
“John Bebbington grabbed the last three wickets of the game to finish it off.”
King said the side was thrilled to add another piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet.
Ashfield will take on the Sunbury Kangaroos on February 21 for the annual Pink Stumps charity game, which raises money to combat breast cancer.
