Both teams were up for the contest, but Colbo emerged more clinical with both bat and ball to take the title, chasing down the 9-124 set by the Kangaroos in 33 of the 40 overs allotted.
The teams entered the match having split their two regular season meetings. A round two clash saw Girgarre claim a dominant victory by 106 runs, while Colbinabbin’s 32-run win in round nine was the Kangaroos’ first loss of the season.
In the grand final, Girgarre won the toss and elected to bat, with openers Connor Cowley (17) and Shaun Doolan (20) setting a solid platform, putting on a 39-run opening stand.
The pair left the crease in quick succession, quickly followed by Rhys Shay (4), to leave Girgarre in a precarious position at 3-46.
However, the Kangaroos’ middle-order proved resilient, with Mackenzie Cowley (13), Rex Taylor (17) and Mitchell Fitzgerald (28) all managing starts to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The partnership between Cowley and Taylor ended with the score at 4-71, while Taylor and Fitzgerald managed 21 as a pair before Taylor was caught off the bowling of Fletcher White.
White (5-20) only built momentum from there as he next took Fitzgerald’s wicket before striking three more times by the end of the innings, as Girgarre concluded its 40 overs at 9-124.
Brian Dwyer (2-15) made breakthroughs at the top of the order, while Hamish and Xavier Hooppell (both 1-16) also snared a wicket each.
It was a horror start for Colbinabbin as it lost Xavier (0) in the first over, his bails dislodged by the bowling of Ryley Cowley.
Brian Dwyer (43) joined Hamish (55) at the crease and they set to work chasing down the total.
Dwyer played a measured innings, facing 82 deliveries for his 43, while at the other end Hamish was on the attack, his brilliant 55 coming from just 41 balls and featuring seven fours and a six.
By the time Hooppell was run out with the score at 2-84, Colbinabbin was most of the way there, with little required from the middle order for victory to be secured.
Dwyer remained at the crease putting on minor stands with Tyler McNamara (4) and Sam Ryan (6) and by the time he was dismissed, Colbo trailed by just 11 runs.
Those remaining runs were dutifully provided by Daniel Morgan and Fletcher White (both six not out) as Colbinabbin reached 6-125 in 33 overs.
Ryley Cowley (2-27) was the only Girgarre bowler to strike more than once, while Taylor (1-10), Jonathon Sherritt and Andrew Medhurst (both 1-31) were the other wicket-takers.
Murray B-grade grand final
Girgarre 9-124 (Mitchell Fitzgerald 28, Shaun Doolan 20, Fletcher White 5-20) lost to Colbinabbin 6-125 (Hamish Hooppell 55, Brian Dwyer 43, Ryley Cowley 2-27)
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