Underdog West Bairnsdale have capped off a magnificent season by winning the 2023/2024 Bairnsdale Cricket Association premiership from Meerlieu at the Orbost Recreation Reserve on the weekend.
The victory unifies the premiership title, with Wests also winning the one-day competition grand final, also against the Tussocks in February.
Meerlieu skipper, Rohan Blandford won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat on a wicket that looked pretty good, with local pitch experts predicting a score of 300 might be possible if one of the Meerlieu big guns could get going.
The Tussocks were quickly in trouble at 2/3 with Blandford and Matt Busch back in the pavilion, both falling to Wests skipper, Ryan Halford, who picked up his third when he had Michael Preston adjudged leg before wicket, Meerlieu reeling at 3/25.
Frankie Mostert was the only Tussocks batsmen who hit their straps, making 60 from 63 balls, including eight boundaries and a maximum.

IMAGE: West Bairnsdale are the 2023/2024 Bairnsdale Cricket Association premiers after defeating Meerlieu in the decider at the Orbost Recreation Reserve on Saturday. (PS)