Adelaide A Grade Grand Final, 1999-2000

In a tight tussle, marred slightly by a couple of umpiring decisions, Kensington foiled West Torrens' attempt at its first premiership for nearly forty years with a narrow victory giving them their second title in the past four seasons. The Browns commenced their innings in perfect conditions and there was action a plenty in the opening hour as Andrew McRitchie top edged a reckless hookshot and was dropped by over-exuberant paceman Daniel Lynch as he nearly collided with Ben Higgins who was running in from square leg. A few balls later, McRitchie shouldered arms and had his off stump bent back off a no ball and in the next over Anthony McDonald was dropped low down in the slips by Bradley Young off Brett Swain. Lynch redeemed his early error by getting McRitchie a short time later, attempting another rash hook stroke. Bradman Medalist John Lee immediately went on the attack, and just as he had reached his fifty, following some strong off side play, he edged to slip and lunch was taken at 2/105.

Jamie Siddons went on the attack after the break, hitting Matthew Minagall into the temporary stand, but immediately after drove at one that he wasn't to the pitch of and hit a return catch. Left hander McDonald continued to play the sheet anchor role and he was next to go giving Brad Wigney the first of two wickets in two balls as Jamie McPhee was trapped plumb in front first ball to make Kensington an uncomfortable 5/131.

Skipper Dean Waugh was joined by Barry Steele but the union didn't last long with the ex-New South Welshman becoming Minagall's third wicket. Then came the first of two very contenious umpiring decisions in the match by Paul Angley as Steele was fortunate to survive a huge lbw shout as he padded up to Wigney. He eventually succumbed to Young but he and Justin Creek added 30 very valuable runs in the meantime and in the eventual context of the game these were vital to the outcome. Creek continued to bat well and he and John Palmer got the Browns through to tea at 7/196.

Kensington's innings didn't thrive for too long into the final session with Minagall getting his fourth wicket and Young his second from 15.1 very tight overs. Creek was unbeaten at the end, justifying his place in the team solely as a batsman. West Torrens had 25 overs to survive on the Saturday and things started poorly as Jarrad Taylor padded up to left arm quick Andrew Watson. Darren Reeves and Andrew Haslett scratched out the foundations of a good partnership until shortly before the close Reeves played a loose shot off McPhee to go for 27 and in the next over Haslett was brilliantly stumped down the leg side off medium pacer Jamie Panelli.

Sunday again dawned clear, but for West Torrens double disaster struck with Young being brilliantly snapped up in the slips by Waugh and immediately after Minagall went to Watson. Malcolm Howell and Ben Higgins then joined forces to attempt to carry out a very similar scenario to that which occurred in the semi-final and were going along smoothly until umpire Angley decided Howell was leg before to Panelli when fully forward and playing a shot. Higgins was joined by Ben Smith who took 31 minutes to score his first run and the partnership was promising when lunch was taken at 6/121, with Higgins having just reached his fifty with a leg glanced boundary.

In a pulsating final session of the season, Smith went in the second over after lunch and Swain, after a brief flurry edged Steele behind, thus West Torrens needed 71 with just two wickets in hand. Captain-Coach Wigney strode to the wicket and immediately Higgins went after the bowling and with the new ball approaching, the pair made it to drinks needing a further 37. Watson returned to the crease, as did Steele and Higgins hit a juicy full toss over mid wicket to bring up a wonderful century. Sadly there was little acknowledgement from the fielding side who were starting to feel the tension of the situation. Higgins then beautifully drove Watson to the long off ropes and then in trying to keep the bowling, attempted a glide to third man only to give a catch to the solitary slip fielder present. Wigney was then dropped at third slip by Siddons and after he off drove an all run four, Lynch edged behind to end the match.

Kensington thoroughly deserved their win however, but their over-appealing and non-clapping of Ben Higgins reaching his ton did slightly stain their efforts. Waugh expressed delight at the win particularly after the miracle come from behind effort in the semi-final. His opposite number, Brad Wigney was obviously disappointed and in the frustration of the narrow loss called for the sacking of the Umpire's director Dennis Rebbeck.