MOUNT Beauty claimed their third flag in the past six seasons with a 41-run victory over Kiewa in the CAW district grand final at Kiewa on Sunday.
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We were in a lot of trouble early on Saturday after losing wickets but the boys stuck at it and we eventually posted a good score. The boys toughed it out really well.
- Al Randell
The Power followed up their success in 2011-12 and 2012-13 with another masterful performance under pressure.
Skipper Al Randell put the win down to a never-say-die attitude.
“It’s great,” Randell said.
“We were in a lot of trouble early on Saturday after losing wickets but the boys stuck at it and we eventually posted a good score.
“The boys toughed it out really well.
“It’s hard to compare the premierships, they are all sweet.”
Mount Beauty recovered from an early blitz from Ryan de Vries to make 167 thanks to a fine knock from Luke Jones.
He made 67 and found support in the middle-order from Ashan Ranaweera (23) and Will Betheras (21).
Mark Betharas chipped in with a vital 13 in the dying overs.
De Vries, who finished the season with 44 scalps, was outstanding for Kiewa with 4-49 and Jacob Barber was almost impossible to get away with 0-16 off 14 overs.
Kiewa made a reasonable start through Sean Taylor and Robbie Barber but their dismissals triggered a collapse.
The Hawks looked a chance while Ash Sutherland was still at the crease but the pressure took its toll as the run rate increased.
Ranaweera and Jake Styles refused to give the batsmen any width and they were supported by some outstanding fielding.
Styles finished with five wickets to prove the major difference between the sides.
Ranaweera’s variety kept the opposition guessing in the dying stages with the seasoned campaigner once again showing why he’s one of the premier players in the competition.
“You always like a few more runs but I thought our score was competitive and the bowlers didn’t let us down,” Randell said.
“They kept the pressure on and the chances came our way.
“Early wickets were always going to be important and thankfully we took a couple.
“It was a solid all-round performance.”
Mount Beauty defeated Baranduda in the semi-finals before trouncing Dederang in the preliminary final.
Kiewa finished the home and away series on top of the ladder but failed to bring its A-game to the table in the finals.
It lost to Dederang in the first final before bouncing back with a win against Yackandandah.
In second grade, Kiewa won a tight contest against Yackandandah by four wickets.
Chasing 9-160, the Hawks responded with 6-162 thanks to another classy knock of 40 not out by Ben Stewart.