By Mark Heenan
Anglesea clinched its second Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A Grade title in three seasons after downing a gallant Ocean Grove in the grand final decider at Portarlington on Sunday.
Kangaroo captain Ned Cooper (127) scored a brilliant hundred and was awarded the Fred Warren Medal in his side’s 61-run victory at Ron Evans Oval.
Losing Ocean Grove coach Paul Jubber praised Cooper’s amazing knock.
It was Cooper’s third hundred this season after centuries against Barrabool in Round 3 and Winchelsea in Round 11.
“Anglesea were far too good – Ned Cooper’s knock of 120 odd under pressure in a grand final…credit where credit is due, Ned was brilliant and they deserve the accolades and they were the far better side,” Jubber told the Voice.
Minor premier Anglesea won the toss and batted first and faced only 51 overs on day one after rain forced a 90-minute delay at the start of play.
Cooper was unbeaten at stumps as the Kangaroos finished the day at 6/135.
Resuming on day two Anglesea added a further 86 runs to finish at 9 declared for 221 from 74 overs.
“We knew we had to bat the 24 overs to make sure they only got 49 overs to bat in their innings,” said Anglesea captain Ned Cooper.
Anglesea’s decision to declare after 74 overs meant lower ranked Ocean Grove had to chase down a target of 222 from a reduced 49 overs.
Jubber conceded it was a “smart move” from Anglesea to push a declaration before the 75th over.
“It was a smart move by them and very intelligent play from Ned,” Jubber said.
“We just thought it would limit them (Ocean Grove) and I think they lost two or three overs from it,” said Anglesea speed gun and club coach Dale Kerr.
Grubber Jackson Kent was the leading wicket-taker with 3/31 from 14 overs, while Mick Thornton finished with 2/9 from seven overs.
In reply Ocean Grove employed an attacking approach with star pair Paul Jubber and Michael Kenneady opening the innings.
“We knew they (Ocean Grove) might change their batting line-up which they did – they brought Paul Jubber and Kenneady – two of their best bats,” Kerr told the Voice.
“We knew they were going to go hard early.”
Anglesea took early wickets and gained the ascendancy as the Grubbers fell to 3/49 after the key dismissals of Paul Jubber (6), Sam Jubber (18) and Kenneady (17).
The Grubbers were then always on the back foot.
Ocean Grove fell to 9/105 – though a gutsy 55-run 10th wicket stand between Dan Roddis and Lindon Giuffrida saw the Grubbers fight to the end.
In the end the Grubbers were all out for 160.
“It was pleasing to see the boys fight out to the end,” Jubber said.
Left armer Dylan Taylor bowled a stunning spell with bounce and carry and finished with four wickets, while Dale Kerr dominated with line and length and accuracy and claimed three wickets.
Kerr had a brilliant season with the ball and finished with 58 wickets and won the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
