HEATHCOTE is celebrating premiership glory after a six-wicket victory in the Castlemaine District Cricket Association’s A-reserve clash with Newstead.
The Saints showed what a difference a week makes as they bounced back from being thrashed in the second semi-final on home turf at Store Edge Park in Barrack Reserve to win the 2025-26 season decider at Thompsons Transport Oval in Castlemaine’s Wesley Hill precinct.
It was a gutsy call by Heathcote captain Brad Polson to send Newstead in to bat.
After the dismissal of Charlie Chapman with the score on 11 it was Kris Walter and Cameron Hepburn who teamed for a 41-run stand.
Both were dismissed when the score was on 52.
Momentum then swung wickedly the Saints way.
Spin bowler and Heathcote president Nick Malavisi claimed his second wicket when Ciaran Gardner was caught and bowled.
From 4-56 the Newstead line-up slumped to 7-58 as captain Lachlan Park, Faolan Gardner and Gerald Chapman were dismissed in a Malavisi hat-trick across two overs on his way to Player of the Match honours.
Newstead was dismissed for 92 in the 32nd over as Malavisi finished with 5-19 off eight overs and Tim Gleeson captured 2-18 off eight overs.
Other wicket-takers were Liam Hubble, 1-12 off six; Fraser Maddren, 1-5 off two; and Paddy Carmody, 1-11.
In the chase for victory the Saints were in early strife when vice-captain Brad Rowe was dismissed when the score was on seven.
Brett Polson’s innings of 19 was ended to make it 2-24.
When Brad Polson became Steven Shovan’s second wicket the heat was on as the Saints were 3-30.
Eight runs later and Angus McIntosh was caught off a Shovan delivery.
A week earlier the Saints middle and lower-order could not halt Newstead’s attack.
In the match which matters most Cale Polson and Tim Gleeson teamed for an unbeaten stand of 58 as the Saints marched to victory in the 25th over.
Polson struck three sixes and three fours in a knock of 34 not out as Gleeson hit four boundaries on his way to 29 as Shovan took 3-25 for Newstead.