Marcellin 2nd XI were crowned D Turf premiers after defeating Ashburton Willows 2nd XI in a dramatic Grand Final played across Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March.
After winning the toss, Ashburton Willows elected to bowl and made an ideal start, tearing through Marcellin’s top order. Early wickets had Marcellin in deep trouble at 1–2, 2–12 and 3–12, with the pressure continuing as they slipped to 4–27 and 5–32. A valuable 25-run partnership between McColl (21) and Dev Patel provided some resistance, but Ashburton continued to strike, reducing the innings to 6–59, 7–74 and 8–89. From that precarious position, Marcellin mounted a remarkable recovery. Daniel Zaccariah (18) showed great composure in supporting Dev Patel through a crucial 18-over stand, guiding the score to 9–151.
What followed was a match-defining last-wicket partnership, as captain Tim Rush (17* off 54 balls) joined Patel at the crease. The pair frustrated Ashburton’s attack with discipline before Patel launched a superb counterattack. Finishing unbeaten on 125, including 7 sixes and 11 fours, Patel produced a brilliant innings under pressure. Together with Rush, he lifted Marcellin from 9–151 to 9–243, turning the match firmly in Marcellin’s favour. Marcellin 2nd XI 9–243 Dev Patel 125* (7 sixes, 11 fours), McColl 21, Daniel Zaccariah 18, Tim Rush 17*
In reply, Ashburton Willows’ chase got off to the worst possible start. Marcellin’s opening bowlers, Tim Rush and Nick Watty, struck immediately with Watty removing their opening batsman in the first over and Rush following up in his second, leaving Willows at 2–2. Dev Patel added to the early damage with a wicket in his first over, reducing the score to 3–12. Ashburton showed determination to recover, batting through to lunch at 3–92 to keep their hopes alive. The match saw an unfortunate moment at tea when Dakshil Patel was forced to retire hurt due to illness, though he thankfully made a full recovery and later returned to the crease.
After the break, Marcellin regained control. Rush and Zaccariah returned to the attack and struck key blows, removing set batters as the score moved to 4–105, 5–114 and 6–145. With the game in the balance, Watty and Joshi delivered the decisive spell, triggering a late collapse. Wickets fell rapidly—7–163, 8–164, 9–164—before Ashburton were dismissed for 171, handing Marcellin a well-earned victory.
Ashburton Willows 2nd XI 171 all out Rush 3–50 (20 overs), Joshi 3–18, Watty 2–40, Zaccariah 1–43, Patel 1–5. Dev Patel was deservedly named Player of the Match for his magnificent unbeaten 125 and contribution with the ball, capping off a truly match-winning performance.
Marcellin’s triumph was built on resilience, teamwork and belief, sealing a memorable Grand Final victory.
