Maryvale add to the collection

Winners are grinners - celebrating a three-peat of premierships - the victorious Maryvale Condamine side after Saturday''s win in the Warwick Grand Final.

As the rugby league season hurtles towards us, the local cricket seasons are drawing to a close.

On Saturday at Slade Park Maryvale Condamine added another chapter to the history of cricket in the district. Maryvale added yet another premiership to their already impressive collection with a comprehensive victory over Colts.

Many expected this to be a close contest after only one separated the two teams at their last encounter. Maryvale captain Paul Bourke had asked his team to bring their “A” game and they certainly stepped up to the mark to cement yet another back to back premiership.

Maryvale won the toss and elected to bat. Opener Andrew Ryan gave Maryvale supporters a few nervous moments when he went cheaply caught by Jacob gross off the bowling of Morgan Bourke for just five runs. . Fortunately his opening counterpart Mitch Bourke had read the skipper’s script and played an excellent openers innings top scoring with 59 before he was caught by Alistair Costello off the bowling of Sean O’Leary.

As is normally expected Mick Bourke got among the runs adding 33 before he was dismiss by James Fern. It was the first of a three wicket haul by Fern.

Paul Bourke played a good captains knock late in the innings adding 26 valuable runs before he fell to the bowling of Jacob Gross.

When the innings wrapped up Mitch Darton (10) and Kev Bourke (5) remained not out. In the field, Hugh Inman caught well holding catches to dismiss Mick and Tom Bourke. Unfortunately for Colts some loose bowling added 28 runs in wides and no balls.

Chasing a target of 205 Colts needed to get off to a good start. Maryvale’s bowlers however had their eye on their third consecutive title and were on the money from the get go.

Mitch Darton removed Colts openers cheaply to give his side a dream start. Dave Walker was without doubt the star of the show taking six wickets including the important scalp of John Cleary.

Walker’s bowling figures were impressive. From a 10 over spell Walker bowled four maidens took six wickets for just 14 runs and set up a comprehensive 141 run victory for Maryvale. One of the keys to the success of Maryvale has been their consistency over the past few years and their ability to field a strong and almost unchanged side during the season. They have now won three premierships on the trot and four of the past five

It was no surprise when Dave Walker was named Player of the Final for his outstanding bowling performance.

The pain of a Colt’s grand final loss was tempered somewhat when their all rounder John Cleary was named Warwick Player of the Year.

While Dave Walker played an impressive role in the grand final; he has done an excellent job as President of the Club and can be rightly proud of the role he played in a very successful season.