Melbourne and Richmond Crowned T20 Premiers at Toorak Park

Toorak Park played host to a memorable Australia Day double-header as Melbourne Cricket Club and Richmond Cricket Club claimed the Victorian Premier Cricket Women’s and Men’s 1st XI T20 Premierships in emphatic fashion.

Women’s 1st XI T20 Grand Final

Melbourne CC def. Essendon Maribyrnong Park LCC by 5 wickets

Melbourne produced a composed chase to secure the Women’s T20 title, defeating Essendon Maribyrnong Park by five wickets with 15 balls remaining.

After being sent in, Essendon Maribyrnong Park posted a competitive total of 7/136, setting Melbourne a clear target on a surface that offered value for disciplined bowling. Melbourne’s attack kept the pressure on throughout the innings, preventing EMP from building the decisive partnerships required in a Grand Final.

In reply, Melbourne’s chase was anchored by a superb innings from Amy Yates, whose 71 from 54 deliveries proved the difference. Yates combined patience with timely acceleration, guiding her side through the middle overs before Melbourne closed out the match with confidence. Her influence extended beyond the bat, also contributing with the ball to cap off an outstanding all-round performance.

Yates’ efforts rightly earned her the Player of the Match award as Melbourne celebrated a well-earned T20 Premiership.

Men’s 1st XI T20 Grand Final

Richmond CC def. Footscray CC by 8 wickets

In the afternoon match, Richmond Cricket Club delivered a dominant display to claim the Men’s T20 crown, defeating Footscray by eight wickets in a one-sided contest.

Footscray struggled to gain momentum against a disciplined Richmond bowling unit and was restricted to 9/125 from its 20 overs. Leading the way was Josh Sawrey, whose outstanding spell of 3/16 dismantled Footscray’s middle order and set the tone for the Tigers.

Richmond’s reply was clinical. Chasing a modest target, the Tigers batted with authority and control, reaching the required total with 22 balls to spare and only two wickets down. The result was never in doubt as Richmond showcased the depth and balance that has underpinned its successful T20 campaign.

Sawrey’s impact with the ball earned him the Player of the Match medal, capping off a dominant team performance.