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GALLERY: Pythons take bite out of Mudrats in grand final

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On the eve of the showdown, Port Stephens skipper Josh Moxey stated the Pythons wanted to add their name to the Newcastle District Cricket Association’s Suburban Districts division one silverware.

And, they did just that at Feighan Oval on Saturday by upsetting defending premiers Mary Ellen Mudrats by six wickets in the season finale.

The triumph also secured the Pythons’ 15th major premiership since 1999/2000.

“With it being a new competition, we don’t want Mary Ellen to be on it [shield] two years in a row,” Moxey said in the lead-up to the grand final.

“We’d like to put our name on the trophy as well.”

For Moxey and his sibling, Jarrod, the weekend’s success presented them with title number 10, too.

“This time of the year is a bit more special for us,” he said.

“Sadly, our dad passed away on 20 March playing in a grand final.

“So, it’s a bittersweet moment for Jarrod and myself – full of happy and sad memories.”

After winning the toss, Port Stephens sent Mary Ellen into bat on a spicy deck.

The decision paid immediate dividends, picking up Jarren Owen (5), captain Cameron Roxby (11) and Braedon Maxwell (4) to leave the Mudrats reeling at 3-28.

And, despite the efforts of Brendan Frost (22 not out) and Josh Forsyth (10), the situation didn’t improve for the 2020/21 champions.

With Lleyton Eveleigh, Jason Eveleigh, Brock Hawley (2-16), Matthew Dean (1-3) and Blake Simpson (1-20) in ripping form with the ball, Mary Ellen’s last seven wickets fell for 31 – a total of just 71.

Collectively, the Eveleighs snared 5-28, with Lleyton snaring 3-18 and Jason 2-10.

The Pythons began their run chase shakily, with danger men Leigh Williams (0) and Jarrod Moxey (2) sent back to the pavilion with only four on the scoreboard.

Josh Moxey then stopped the rot with a handy 24.

It was left to Lleyton Eveleigh (30 not out) and Hawley (8 not out) to guide the team to victory in the 18th over.

For Mary Ellen, Lucas Sneddon took 2-16 with Josh Bennett and Roxby chipping in with 1-12 and 1-21 respectively.

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