AFTER two consecutive Warrnambool and District Cricket Association premierships Russells Creek isn't finished winning yet, according to medium-pacer Matt Petherick.
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The 22-year-old, who was named man of the match after taking 5-20 in the eight-run victory over Brierly-Christ Church on Sunday, said the top-grade side was eager to claim three-in-a-row in 2019-20.
"I know Woodford got the three-peat a few years ago and we're chasing that and we want it bad," he said.
Creek successfully defended its total of 102 from the day one against Brierly-Christ Church on Saturday to clench victory with just eight runs to spare in a tense final day on Sunday.
It came a year after the Creekers defeated Allansford by 49 runs in the 2017-18 decider.
Petherick, who bowled 25.2 overs on the final day, was supported by vice-captain Jimmy Elford (3-41 off 20 overs) and pace bowler Tim Ryan (2-21 off nine) in restricting the Bulls to 94 runs.
The Deakin University teaching student said the key to his match-winning performance was sticking to his plans.
"It was to bowl tight areas and with the score we made it wasn't going to be enough to blast them out," he said.
"We had to bowl some good lines and fortunately enough today we did."
The Mungean brothers - Zavier, 17, and Tyler, 21, - opened the batting and guided the Bulls to 12 before Petherick sent the older brother on his way for four.
From there the Bulls lost 4-24 to stumble to 5-36 with Ryan and Petherick claiming the wickets of the Murphy brothers, Mark and Nathan, for one and seven.
Campbell Love and Harry Rooke shifted momentum back in the Bulls' favour before they were both gone in quick succession.
Harry's brother Lachi steadied the Bulls and got them within eight runs before Creek captain Cam Williams caught him outside of his crease for 28 with some quick-fire glovework.
Williams said momentum and the performance of his bowlers were pivotal to his side securing its second straight flag.
"We just needed to control the tempo of the game and control the pace of the game and try to apply that wicket pressure," he said.
"Because I knew the way grand finals go if you get on top of a side the crowd gets going and it's all about momentum and I thought it swung 85 per cent in our way.
"But full credit to Brierly they batted away and Lachi Rooke batted well in the end there.
Williams was quick to praise his three-pronged bowling attack after the victory had been sealed.
"Matt Petherick has bowled a pear of overs in the past two weeks and I think he has finished with 11 wickets from bugger all balls," he said.
"He has pretty much carried us through the whole final series on the back of Tim Ryan and Jimmy Elford with the ball as well and they have been absolutely sensational."
The father-of-two said he was proud to have led the club to back-to-back victories.
"Any premierships are a fantastic thing to win but but back-to-back and with the group we've got it's just an absolutely special moment," he said.
"I know our division two and three unfortunately didn't win but to get one out of three is bittersweet for them blokes but for the club it's fantastic."
The Bulls headed into day two needing 103 for victory after Mark Murphy (4-24 off 17.4 overs) and Jason Mungean (3-29 off 29) led the way with the ball.
Besides Lachi Rooke only his brother Harry (12 runs) and Zavier Mungean (11) were able to reach double figures.
The day before Williams (21 off 91 balls) and Rukshan Weerasinghe (23 off 60) were Creek's top scorers.
But besides middle order batsman Brett Nuske, who dug in after tea on Saturday adding 12 off 126 balls before being trapped LBW by Jason Greer, they were the only ones to reach double figures.
Bulls bowler Jacob Brooks was also handy throughout the day on Saturday to finish with 2-24 from his 14 overs.
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