Triple treat - Deepdene Uniting win McCarthy Shield LOC1 and achieve a rare three-peat in Senior Cricket

Deepdene Uniting's have won their third consecutive McCarthy Shield - LOC1 - Premiership, defeating Malvern Valley at Hays Paddock. It was an outstanding opening spell by player of the match Nitin Madan (3/32 and 46 from 67) that set the tone of the match. Electing to bat first Malvern Valley struggled against Madan who picked up the first three wickets to have them at 4/32. The other wicket was a disastrous run out. From there, Malvern Valley were forced into conservative mode, to ensure they batted out the overs. Matthew Pryor (43) and Luke Cleave (33) stabilised the innings with a 75 run partnership before Pryor was caught and bowled by Kern Kapoor. Cleave and Nathaniel Symes (41* from 39) pushed the score towards 200. But it felt well under par on the lightening quick outfield at Hayes Paddock. Justin Atkins was economical with 0/24 from his eight.
In response, Deepdene Uniting opener Anil Mirchandani (41 from 35) continued his hot streak (119* in the Semi Final) and his partner Nitin Madan (46 from 67) all but put the match out of reach of Malvern Valley. MV spilled a number of catches late in the match, but Divye Goyal (74* from 76) was unfazed and played his anchor role perfectly at #3 to steer the side home in the 35th over, much to the delight of the large home crowd. Jamshaid Kamal picked up 2/35 from his 8.
After the match, both Captains spoke highly of their respective teams and the respect they had for each other. Umpires Mike Slattery and Garry Male congratulated the players for the match, Deepdene Uniting for being such generous hosts and for the City of Boroondara for presenting Hayes Paddock in such excellent condition for the Grand Final.  Deepdene Uniting President and participant in the game, Rory Smeaton paid tribute to retiring ECA umpire Garry Male for his outstanding contribution to the ECA.