The Jeffrey/McRae shield, that honors Mt Clear and Wendouree stalwarts and Life Members Graeme Jeffrey and Geoff McRae, was decided in the final balls of a 1st XI cliffhanger on Saturday. With Wendouree having claimed the 2nds and 3rds and Mt Clear the 4ths and 5ths the shield would be decided by the victor of the 1sts.
Earlier in the day Mt Clear had restricted Wendouree to 9/113 off their 43 overs. Conditions suited the bowling team and Daniel Hopkinson took full advantage with 5/29 off his 9 overs. Captain/Coach Nathan Yates anchored the top order with 34 but wickets fell regularly around him. When Yates departed the score was 5/56 the ‘Red Caps’ held the advantage. The lower order was held together by veteran Paull Jeffrey. Despite a brief period off the field when he had to retire hurt with a transient medical condition, Paull got the team to within 10 runs of the winning score. Grant Trevenen and Ash Gunn were able to level the score with 6 balls remaining. Grant was able to edge a ball through the slips region on the fourth ball of the final over to collect the 6 points and the shield for Mt Clear.