Yackandandah topples Kiewa to regain CAW district title

Kiewa had failed to pass 130 in the two previous games this season and the home side made it third time lucky be skittling the premiers for just 105 from 35.4 overs.

"The bowling plan we had was to bowl tight and restrict them in the first 10 overs," delighted captain Bailey Glass revealed.

"Micky Walker hasn't been opening the bowling, but we gave him the new ball, just to get an early breakthrough.

"Josh Warren and Josh Bartel are their two key batsmen and Mick Walker with a new ball in the grand final, he did the job that he has for years, it was a super effort."

Walker dismissed Bartel for four, while Mitch Maginness snared the prized scalp of Warren for a patient six from 24 balls.

Warren had smacked 71, including 13 boundaries, in last year's grand final.

Walker, who turns 39 on April 1, took 4-13 from seven overs and also had the added thrill of playing a decider alongside his 14-year-old son Mason.

The youngster, in just his third game for the year and first in district's top level for nine weeks, combined to take the wicket of Scott Goodwin from his father's bowling.

"To stand under a skied ball like that and take it, the crowd erupted, it was unreal," Glass offered.

"That was the moment of the day I reckon, it brought a tear to everyone's eye."

Walker was delighted to share the moment with his son.

"Words can't describe it I suppose, it's surreal, pretty amazing," he suggested.

"It's what a dad lives for as a cricketer."

Yackandandah's top order stole the momentum early with Cooper Garoni compiling 62 from 78 deliveries, including eight boundaries and two sixes.

He combined in a 61-run stand with fellow opener Russell Odewahn (31) and then backed it up with another half-century partnership with Glass (24).

The team was 1-115 at one stage and while Kiewa captain Josh Bartel restricted the surge with 3-18 from six overs, only one wicket was taken between the first four bowlers.

Kiewa collapsed to 4-25 before Shane Streeter (39) and Jason Bartel (31) steadied with a 59-run stand.

At 4-84, needing less than a 100 for an upset, Kiewa had a chance, but Walker's guile and Garoni's best figures of the year (3-19 from eight overs) saw the team lose another 6-21.

"Pretty much all year our batting has been our Achilles' heel and we didn't turn up and to 'Yack's' credit, they bowled and fielded well, I don't think they dropped a catch," Josh Bartel said.

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It was the pair's third successive grand final.

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