In a replay of the 2012-13 decider – which ended in an epic tie at Mulbring Oval – it was the fourth time these two great rivals had met in a grand final in the past five years.

Both clubs now have six titles apiece this millennium, with the Tigers claiming their ninth in the past 20 years.

Bellbird skipper Rob Drage won the toss and decided to send Mulbring in to bat, despite the road-like Miller Park wicket and lightning fast outfield.

The decision was based on the fact that Bellbird had batted first in the three times met this season, with Mulbring chasing down their moderate targets each time with ease.

The Tigers were on top early, skittling the Mulbring top order to have them reeling at 4-44 in the 16th over. Skipper Drew Olsen (2) went cheaply, Scott Robertson (16) was just starting to look comfortable before Tigers gully-man Shannon Attewell defied gravity to snatch a mid-air catch, with Andy Carmichael (15) and Brad Strachan (8) also falling cheaply.

When Mulbring’s X-factor Greg Sheehan dragged one back on second ball the Marlins were in all sorts at 5-45, but as one would expect the middle order and tail regrouped to post a defendable sort of target.

They were all out in the final over for 145. Adam Sheehan was given an early life before he posted his team’s high score of 29, with Mick Mascord (23), Josh Lewis (21) and Adam Curnuck (15) all timing the ball nicely.

Billy Orr was the best of the Bellbird attack with 4-30 off eight overs, with Matt Tomlinson (2-32 off nine) and Jason Orr (2-22 off three) collecting a brace of wickets each.

The match looked very much evenly poised with the Tigers 4-60 after 17 overs in reply. Openers Jason Orr (12) and Drage (9) went cheap, Ben Fairlie (10) looked quite comfortable until brother Matt ran him out, with Matt departing for a sensible 24. 

Elliot Gyler (29) and Attewell (15) then shared in what was effectively a match-winning 38-run fifth-wicket stand, but their departures in pretty quick succession left the Tigers at 6-113 and there was still plenty of cricket to be played in this one.

However you cannot buy experience, and former skipper Andrew Howson who was playing in unbelievably his 17th top grade grand final in his lengthy 21-year career, steered the ship to safety and a satisfying two-wicket win in the final over of the game.

In quite ironic circumstances scores were locked up going into the final over, which was the very case in the decider two years ago.

Only this time Bellbird had the last laugh when Howson slapped Greg Sheehan’s first delivery over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Nick Siers made a very handy contribution of 13 before he was brilliantly run out by Greg Sheehan in the 38th over.

Chad Lewis was the best of the Marlin attack with 2-23 off 10, with Scott Robertson also bowling very tidily with 2-27 off eight. 

Celebrations followed well into the night back at Bellbird Workers Club.

SECOND GRADE

The second grade decider was played between minor premiers Greta/Branxton and Mulbring at Bellbird’s Carmichael Park.

Greta/Branxton skipper Damien Austin won the toss and elected to bat, but the Blues were probably 30 runs short of what they had hoped, bowled out in the 39th over for 136.

First-drop batsman Andrew Bercini (57) batted very sensibly for a well-made half century, with Leigh Knight (19), Brock Charnock (12), Austin (12) and Trent Fuller (11) all making starts.

Willy Watson was Mulbring’s best with the ball with 5-19 off 4.5, with David Lord (3-22 off 10) and Brent Mendyk (2-37 off 10) the other wicket-takers.

The run chase started off in very shaky fashion for the Marlins, and at 3-20 Greta/Branxton looked well and truly on top. However, this brought together match winners Mendyk and Watson, who put on a match winning 73-run sixth wicket stand to all but seal the match.

Mendyk hit four massive maximums to finish unbeaten on 73, with Watson notching a well-timed 33. Opener Shaun Clarke expressed his intentions early with 15. Austin was the best of the Blues’ attack with 3-33 off five.

THIRD GRADE

Greta/Branxton are the third grade premiers after they accounted for minor premiers Paxton by 13 runs at Baddeley 1.

Sent in to bat, Greta/Branxton survived their 40 overs in the tough conditions to post 9-82. Opener Bryce Element carried the bat with an unbeaten 16, with Mike Element (15), Sam Dagg (15) and Craig Gillings (11) the other batsmen to make an impression on the score sheet.

Ben Read (3-13 off 10), Aaron Zechel (3-12 off 10) and Brendan Hayes (2-25 off 10) were the wicket takers for Paxton.

The Wombats were skittled for 69 inside 37 overs in reply, with Brendan Lee leading the way with 23. Ben Read was next best with 20, while Brendan Hayes remained stranded on 11no as his team mates fell cheaply around him.

Brent Bailey was outstanding for the Blues with the ball, collecting 5-14 off 10, with Adam Holmberg (3-22 off nine) and Beau Lantry (2-8 off 10) both bowling economical spells.

FOURTH GRADE

In fourth grade, Greta/Branxton Blue claimed the shield after a convincing 61-run victory over Peden’s Hotel at Miller Park No. 2.

Batting first the Blues compiled a competitive 8-161 from their mandatory 40 overs. Opener Sean Wright (59) timed the ball crisply in his half century, Jarrad Wilkinson was equally impressive with 43no, with Zach Watkins (30) and Murray Wilkinson (10no) keeping the scorers busy.

Adam Williams (3-41 off 10) and Scott Burgess (3-24 off eight) were the best of the Peden’s attack with a treble of wickets each.

The Piranhas were all out for a neat 100 in reply, with opener Glen Thorley the only batsman in double figures with 36.

Ayden Wilkinson was the Blues’ best with the ball, bagging 4-29 off 10, receiving good support from Alex Walkling (2-25 off eight) and Zach Watkins (2-16 off five) who capped a fine all-round game.