PRAHRAN'S class players and Ringwood's individual misfortune decided the Premier Cricket Twenty20 final at Russell Lucas Oval in Ringwood last Wednesday night.
Despite a brave showing from the Rams, Prahran's trio of former Australian players David Hussey, Chris Rogers and Bryce McGain proved too strong from the home side. Ringwood fell short, being bowled out for 131 chasing the Blues' 5-156.
While Hussey (42 off 34 balls) and Rogers (64 off 42) were tipped to be the match-winners, it was McGain, granted leave from Big Bash club Adelaide Strikers to play in the match, who turned on a man-of-the-match spell with the ball. The leg-spinner took 4-24 to tear through the Rams' middle-order.
After being stroked for a few boundaries in his early overs, McGain took three wickets in four balls - dismissing opener David King (44 off 37 balls) and captain Ben Osborne (0) in two balls before taking dangerous batsman Jake Ford (1) with the second ball of his next over.
McGain also added the vital scalp of Rams No. 3 Joe Loorham (19 off 10 balls) after Loorham looked in dangerous touch and hit several boundaries soon after coming to the crease.
Although the Rams were the defeated they can take pride in their performance as they managed to keep Rogers and Hussey to manageable scores.
In fact the Rams were in a match-winning position at 2-95, needing 61 to win from almost as many balls with King and rising star Ian Holland (24 off 23 balls) at the crease.
Holland showed his talent on the big stage, taking 2-16 from his four overs.
Had one of Holland's top-order teammates stuck around to bat out the game with him then he would have claimed man-of-the-match honours. But McGain's quality was too much for the Rams.
Misfortune, either at the hands of McGain or themselves, cost the Rams top-order as former Sri Lankan opener Michael Vandort (12 runs from seven balls) looked set for a massive innings before smashing a drive straight back into the hands of Blues quick Steve Seymour. Osborne and Loorham both picked out Rogers in a catching position with full-blooded shots.
Rams fielder Daniel Coghlan also showed a clean pair of heels in the outfield, taking a diving catch to dismiss Liam Murphy on the last ball of the Blues' innings.
Premier Cricket supporters will be encouraged by the colourful crowd that descended on Russell Lucas Oval despite the nippy wind and threat of rain. Premier Cricket officials also praised the work of the ground staff for getting the wicket ready despite heavy rain earlier in the day.
■ The Rams are in a challenging position after day one of their clash with Casey-South Melbourne at Russell Lucas Oval.
The Swans made 240. In reply the Rams are already 3-74 and will resume with Gavin Kellar (20 not out) and Joe Loorham fresh at the crease.
Play resumes at 11am on Saturday.
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