Shoalhaven products star as Wollongong claims Cricket Illawarra Twenty20 final

The club, featuring Shoalhaven’s Kieran Gray, Cooper Maddinson, Duncan Maddinson and Lachlan Maddinson (all Berry-Shoalhaven Heads products) as well as Zac Blattner (Bomaderry), took out Sunday’s Twenty20 final in comprehensive fashion, restricting University to 7-111 to claim a 38-run win and their maiden first-grade Twenty20 crown.

“It feels great, not only to win first grade but second grade as well is massive for the club,” captain Kieran Gray said.

“It’s something we’re very proud of and have worked hard for.

“Any trophy that's up for grabs, we want it and fight very hard for it.

“That's in all grades, Twenty20, two-day, we want to be the top side.

“It's a great start to the season taking the first trophy and hopefully we can build from this and keep going.”

The Maddinson brothers were the star performers, with man of the match Duncan Maddinson scoring a crucial 50 off 38 balls to steer his side to 7-149 with the bat.

Lachlan then took over with the ball, restricting the Uni batsmen throughout the crucial power play period. Maddinson finished with superb figures of 1-9 off four overs.

“Duncan was massive – he was really responsible with his innings, got dropped a couple of times and made the most of it, and those 50 runs were pretty vital,” Gray said.

Having been restricted to 2-21 off the six power play overs, University were chasing their tails throughout much of the innings.

Scoreboard pressure ultimately led to loose shots, which led to wickets falling at regular intervals and allowed Wollongong to cruise to a comfortable victory.

In other news, Bomaderry’s Kealan Blattner was named man of the match of the second grade T20 final, after his 68 not out sealed his team’s 6/105 to 100 win against Northern Districts.