Hawks go back to back

By Steve Brown
THE Rowville Hawks won back-to-back Knox Tavern Cups when they defeated Lysterfield by 137 runs at Seebeck Oval.
After waiting 51 years for their first Senior Premiership the Hawks bowling line up were too dominant, easily defending the 213 they set on day one.
The innings for the reigning premiers was set up by Gavin Williams (50) and Skipper Paul Evans (47), while for Lysterfield former Melbourne Tigers basketballer David Smith bowled with heart to collect 5/63 from 20 overs. The tall opening bowler is only in his fourth year of cricket after leaving the NBL.
Day two saw the Hawks have Lysterfield in trouble from the outset never recovering from 2/7. Gavin Williams bowled well taking two wickets and snaring two catches but it was veteran Darren Hill bowling unchanged to return 5/51 of 22 overs, combined with his 25 runs this performance earned him the Stephen Lee Medal for Best on Ground in the Ground Final.
Rowville club stalwart Barry Mitchell said, “This is beautiful, after watching Rowville struggle in the top grade for many years it is unbelievable to get two in a row and I am going to enjoy it.”
Association president Norm Reeves said, “Although it was disappointing for Lysterfield, it was great to see them get to the final after a terrific season.”
Eildon Park won the right to play in the Knox Tavern Cup grade next season after a good win over Monbulk.
The Panthers set the game up posting 207 on the back of Cody Morris’s 51 and Rohan Adams 42. Jason Fraser and Michael Langworthy both got three wickets for the Hawks.
Aaron Powell took 7/30 in Monbulk’s innings to win the Ken Utting Medal.
An elated captain/coach Andrew Crompton said, “We have played in a lot of finals and the monkey is finally off our back. We are really looking forward to next season.”
Crompton also recognised the efforts of the young Monbulk side in making the finals.
All results will be posted to our web site http://ftgdca.cricketvictoria.com.au