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St John’s retained the Collins Stewart Tinker Cup in some style on Sunday, beating Forrester side Union Mills by 161 runs in a final that proved to be a bridge too far for the Milllers after their heroics in the semi-final against Peel.

Having won the toss, the Saints decided to bat and Grant Atchison and skipper Jaco Jansen made the most of it with an opening stand of 96 before Grobelaar dismissed Atchison for 30 and Eddie Clague had Scot Pearce well caught by Palmer. Jaco Jansen went for a fine 50 before Ewald Killian (41) and Nic Hawke (39 not out) saw St John’s to 242 for 5 from their 40 overs. The Millers’ bowlers stuck to their task well with Johnny Palmer ( 2 for 44 ) and Shaun Grobelaar ( 2 for 55 ) the most successful but it was Eddie Clague who impressed most, taking 1 for 28 in his 8 overs. Their fielding was impressive and the stunning catch taken by Freddie Nel to dismiss Killian was straight out of the Paul Collingwood textbook.

In reply Mills were soon in trouble at 9 for 4 as Arne van der Berg and Scott Pearce each struck twice. John Palmer then took over and though wickets fell around him he continued to torment all the Saints bowlers with his aggressive play. He eventually fell, bowled by Jansen for 40 and the Union Mills innings subsided to 81 all out with Eddie Clague (10 not out), the only other player to reach double figures. Union Mills always knew they had a mountain to climb against the holders and Standard Bank League champions but never gave up and provided much entertainment.

His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor presented the winners and runners-up medals in front of an appreciative crowd and also the Man of the Match Trophy to Jaco Jansen the St John’s skipper for his all-round performance. Many thanks to St John’s for their staging of the game and to Collins Stewart for their much appreciated sponsorship.

RESULT

St John’s 242 for 5 ( Jansen 50, Killian 41, Nic Hawke 39*, Atchison 30  Palmer 2-44, Grobelaar 2-55, Clague 1-28 )

Union Mills 81 ( John Palmer 40, Clague 10*  Van Der Berg 3-25, Killian 2-10, Pearce 2-23, Jansen 2-18 )