Adelaide’s social T20 cricket team, playing for Prince Alfred Old Collegians, completed a perfect 2025/6 season with a clinical ten wicket Grand Final victory against Payneham on Thursday evening.
2009 best and fairest winner Bernie Vince and development coach/former player Andrew McPherson starred for the Crows side, striking an unbeaten 44 and 41 respectively to see their side to the premiership for the loss of no wickets.
The duo was set up by an impressive bowling performance, as they kept the Payneham side to a total of 8/82 from their 20 overs.
Former Crow Lachie Murphy set the tone with ball in hand taking 2/13 opening the bowling, while current Skipper Jordan Dawson continued the momentum also taking 2/13 with his spin through the middle overs.
Youngster Charlie Edwards chimed in with 1/15, while long-time physio and inaugural Crow Tim Cook showcased his experience with an economical 1/8 off four overs.
All-time leading goalkicker Taylor Walker and winger Lachlan Sholl also provided some handy overs, but weren’t rewarded with wickets, while recent retiree Brodie Smith was a bubbly presence in the field.
Faced with a small chase, Vince and McPherson put the foot down early, each finding and clearing the boundary on multiple occasions to get the Crows team home in just 10.3 overs.
The victory was the culmination of a perfect social cricket season for the Adelaide side, as it won all eight of its matches.
Speaking after the match, victorious Captain of the cricket team Luke Pedlar said the season provided a lot of fun for boys as they underwent a gruelling AFL pre-season.
“It’s been a great season, eight-from-eight of the boys were, and it was awesome to finish it off with a nice win here today,” Pedlar said.
“Today’s game couldn’t have gone any better really, most of the AFL-listed boys didn’t have to do too much, the other boys did a great job and got us over the line which was good.
“You can see just how happy playing cricket together made us, and I think having an outlet like that is super important through what can be a very tough pre-season period.
“The connection piece is such an important thing for our footy Club and being able to do this for the past four seasons now, it’s definitely made us a lot closer.”
Throughout the campaign, the team has featured a mixture of current and past Crows players, along with coaches and other football department staff members.
Pedlar said being able to engage with past players has been another rewarding aspect of the cricket season.
“Anyone that is or has been involved with the Crows can play, and it’s been great to see so many different guys come out and have a hit with us,” Pedlar said.
“Bernie (Vince) is a great example, it’s awesome for us younger boys to be around him and he was a great batter for us throughout the year.
“Then you’ve got the likes of Moose (Andrew McPherson), Smithy (Brodie Smith), Murph (Lachie Murphy), it’s awesome to have these past players engaged with us.
“The big thing about our team is about bringing the Club together, and we’re excited to keep it going into the future.’
FINAL SCORE
PAOC (Crows team) 0/87 def Payneham 8/82 by ten wickets.
Top performers:
Vince 44*
McPherson 41*
Murphy 2/13
Dawson 2/13
