Balwyn Saints too strong - deserved winners in match dedicated to the memory of Stuart Hamilton
Balwyn Saints 9/196 def Edinburgh Maroon 148
In the U18 Hamilton Shield Grand Final hosted by top of the ladder Balwyn Saints at Balwyn Park against the third placed Edinburgh (Maroon), it was the Balwyn Saints that prevailed in an entertaining match to claim the flag.
The visitors made the risky call to send Balwyn in to bat first, which gave the in form Joel Watts to opportunity to continue on from his 83* in the Semi Final, and he wasted no time finding the boundary early. A few wickets fell at the other end while Watts continued to do damage, but once captain William Spratt (58) joined him at the crease, the pair put on a 52 run partnership before Watts was finally caught on the boundary attempting another six, with Toby Littlejohn-Sims (2/23) getting the much needed breakthrough.
Edinburgh were then sparked by an outstanding one handed diving catch at mid off and managed to clean up the tail pretty quickly with Balwyn set to defend 9/196 on day 2.
At the start of the Edinburgh innings, it was Spratt (2/9 off 5.1) and Watts (3/15 off 6) taking plenty of early wickets, but Edinburgh's opener Auley Brown kept the score ticking over with what looked would be a lone innings once he was dismissed by Archie Harvey (3/35) for an action packed 41 off 39 balls, including two 6s.
The Balwyn bowling dominance continued and it looked like the game would end any moment at 7/88. But Samuel Evans (17) and Christopher Oliver (35) frustrated the home side with a 54 run partnership that sent a few nerves around the crowd and had brought Edinburgh right back into the game.
What looked like an innocuous single in the established partnership, ended in disaster thanks to a special throw from Watts, who with one stump to aim at, completed an incredible direct hit run out.
This would end up being the knockout blow, and Balwyn Saints won the U18 Hamilton Shield by 48 runs.
At the presentation, the Umpires made special mention of this game being dedicated to the memory of the late Stuart Hamilton who passed away last year. Stuart was a champion of community sport and was an instrumental figure in the Junior program. He is sorely missed and mention was made how this game was a wonderful celebration of this part of his life - a sentiment warmly acknowledged by all the supporters, players and officials at the game.
Run out that turned the match late on day 2
