Griffith may have been the underdog heading into the Creet Cup final against Leeton but that status was removed quicker than the Indian national team’s batting lineup as Griffith registered a resounding nine-wicket win in Leeton.
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It was the first time the teams met in the Creet Cup this year after Griffith forfeited the first round encounter and completed the stunning turnaround for the side.
“We got off to a shaky start [this season], forfeiting the first game to Leeton but we made a few tweaks and got everyone keen,” Griffith captain Pat Whittard said.
Griffith was keen alright – keen for wickets.
Openers Alex Flood (2/13) and Satvir Chahal (2/14) had Leeton at 3/7 before the home side could blink an eye.
Steve Weckert (17) showed plenty of fight before he fell to Hardeep Singh (3/11) with the score on 39.
That wicket triggered another mini collapse as Charlie Cunial (1/11) and Marc Tucker (2/7) got amongst the wickets.
Griffith continued to chip away at Leeton’s lineup to have them all out for 65.
Barring Weckert, no other batsmen moved into double figures.
Griffith didn’t muck around in reply, either.
It took the batsmen just 9.4 overs to reach the target.
Dionisio Pantano (1/22) snared the wicket of Andrew Potter (5) with the score on six but there would be no more casualties from there.
Marc Tucker (30*) and Dean Bennett (30*) set about their work and cruised past the target.
Whittard found it hard to fault his side’s clinical performance.
“I thought we played outstanding, we got off to the right start with a few early wickets and didn't let them get into the game when we started batting,” Whittard said.
“I think we asserted our dominance straight away and I think that helped.
“We only lost one wicket which was good.
"[Hardeep] Singh and Alex Flood bowled outstanding and Dean Bennett and Marc Tucker with the bat took the game straight away from Leeton.”
The win saw Griffith win the Creet Cup for the third time in two years.
Last time Griffith won the cup, the side came into the game in a very different predicament. Griffith went into the 2014/15 final against West Wyalong undefeated and handled the pressure brilliantly. That side completed the perfect season with an eight-wicket win.