Perth Grade: Scarborough win First Grade pennant

Melville won the toss and elected to bat on the Lilac Hill 1 ground whose wicket looked quite green.

Ex-Victorian Bushranger now Western Warrior - Brad Williams immediately proceeded to blow Melville out of the race for the pennant. His 8.2 overs 2 maidens 19 runs and 6 wickets a clear testimony to the excellent form he exhibited throughout the 1999-2000 cricket season both for his new grade club and for his equally new state. He was on a hat-trick at one stage having dismissed opener Scott Meuleman and Paul Farrel with consecutive balls. The manner by which he nabbed Farrell and his next victim Lillis only 4 balls later; was identical - both balls very full and on middle stump - both bats - LBW having been struck on the tippy toes.

Balancing the Williams effort was last years Olly Cooley Medal recipient Kade Harvey who bowled impeccably - grabbing 3 wickets for 32 off 14 overs with 6 maidens.

Matt Nicholson alternated with wayward tripe and almost unplayable perfection. In the "wash-up" his one wicket is perhaps a little unjust for the effort he has made. He now leaves Perth for South Australia and the Australian Cricket Academy during the off season - we hope he returns rejuvenated having had all of the bugs ironed out..

There is not a lot to talk about that is positive in the 1st innings for Melville. Top scorer Adam Voges made 25, Demitri Mascarenhas 24 and one of the bowlers Paul Roe 22.

Barely into the middle session Melville all out for 103 from 37.2 overs in 162 minutes.

Ryan Campbell single handedly made the entire Melville score all by himself and did so in astonishingly quick time. But he did not do it alone. His opening partner David Bandy put together a very solid 31 in a partnership of 70. Then with Bandy's replacement at the wicket - Daly, Campbell erased the deficit inside just 15 overs with the loss of that one solitary wicket. The crowd was by now completely behind the Scarborough side, and they let out a clamorous applause as the Gulls surpassed the Melville Storm. Even the legendary Dennis Lillee set sails for home when it had become clear that Melville could no longer win.

But after they erased the deficit - Campbell and Co set out to annihilate Melville completely. By stumps they had achieved the complete wreck of Melville building 140 run lead having conceded just 4 wickets.

Campbell brought up his century in the 29th over cutting Mascarenhas through the point. It took only 109 minutes and 76 balls to get there with 17 fours and a six. In the following over Hancy bowled a beam ball at Campbell which Campbell cut uppishly and directly to the deep point fielder who made a good effort coming in from the boundary to take a diving catch stretched out. Umpire Terry Prue was required to confer with his fellow umpire Ross Emerson who seemed quite happy not to call the beamer. After a farcical few minutes the beamer was finally declared a no ball, and Campbell -- who was slowly retreating to the pavilion; was called back. Ironically Campbell had not taken a run whilst the ball was in the air and had to face the next delivery which he lifted over the boundary for his second six. Indeed the 2 balls following that one were put over the boundary rope for a six each time. Then, when on the 5th ball of that same over he was clean bowled, Campbell had amassed 120 runs in 114 minutes from 83 balls with 17 fours and 4 sixes.

A humorous aside to this tale of flamboyance is the fact that Campbell struggled with some sort of knee injury which he had brought into the game and which had him limping noticeably (but not distressingly.) Maybe this would explain his reluctance to score ones, twos or even threes -- 92 of his 120 runs were scored from fours or sixes. Apparently the offending knee will be operated on in the next fortnight.

Sadly - Michael Dighton (10) came and went before he got started. Daly (34) was the last man to fall before Harvey (11) and Baker (22) guided the juggernaut into stumps, whereupon Melville after a brief team meeting decided they would not be able to take 16 wickets and make the runs required to win outright and so, simply conceded.

But this is not a story of throwing away a game. Melville did a very honest job out there under extreme duress. They had come up against a side that was bristling with state talent.

Scarborough proved they have the depth required to take all of their grades through to the finals - all four grade sides played in the finals this weekend. Melville have the guts and stamina now that prove they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming seasons. Melville's great depth of talent is proven by the fact that they have both the first grade and second grade playing in their respective finals this weekend.

If there was a real loser this weekend - it would be Yorkshire who are out here warming up in the pre-season before the English County season starts in less than a fortnight. What makes them the loser is that they were scheduled to play Melville this weekend and have had to play an "Invitation side" including Melville 3rd grade players, some ring-ins and a couple of the Yorkies playing on the Melville side.

Williams was named the man of the match.

For the record Melville and Scarborough have never before met in a 1st grade grand final. With this win, Scarborough adds its 5th grand final win to 7 grand finals appearances. Melville remains with 1 win (1979-80) out of its 2 grand final appearances.

We wont know the outcome of the other games until late tomorrow - but they are expected to be closer finishes that today's game.