NANA Glen Lizards are once again the kings of Coffs Coast cricket after winning Sixers Cricket League Coffs Harbour’s first-grade premiership for the second straight season.
The Lizards successfully defended their title with a dominant 95-run win against Sawtell Cricket Club, in their grand final at Fitzroy Oval.
Nana Glen also became the first team to beat Sawtell this season.
The Lizards set a total of 8/234 from 80 overs in the two-day season decider, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Brodie Bartlett top scored with 50, Nicklaus Stanlan-Velt was next best with 34, Daniel Craig scored 29, Tom Craig contributed 27, and Jesse Ferrett finished on 27 not out.
Richie Gallichan was the pick of the Sawtell bowlers with a top spell of 5-95 from 32 overs.
Chasing 235 for the premiership victory, a tough start for the minor premiers had Sawtell reeling after losing four wickets in the first 12 overs.
Flynn Taylor (48 runs) and Toby Bailey (34) provided some fight, but a devastating bowling performance from Nana Glen saw them bowl out Sawtell for 139 in the 60th over.
Josh Bartlett was the pick of the Lizards bowlers taking 3-32 from 17 overs.
In a true team bowling effort, Jesse Ferrett took 2-47 from 15 overs, captain Jonathon Paff took 2-16 from nine overs, Ty Adams took 2-3 from 1.2 overs, and Riley Dagger had an economical spell of 1-8 from seven overs.
Josh Bartlett was named man of the match for the second straight year.
He knew how much it would take to defeat a side like Sawtell.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy and that it would take more than individual efforts to win,” he said.
“They are a class side and showed that all season, so we knew it had to be a massive team effort from everyone, which it was.
“It was just a matter of putting our best side on the park, which we haven’t been able to do a lot this season and playing to our full potential to beat Sawtell.”
He explained how much it meant for the club to defend its premiership.
“It was huge, it’s something that has never been done in our club’s history,” he said.
“We have a great committee behind the scenes who are the reason we are able to field sides from Under 10s all the way to first-grade, without them none of this success would happen and to see how much it meant to them as well is just awesome.”
By Aiden BURGESS
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