Union won the Brydone Borton Cup after beating Valley in a tight, technical finish to the senior club cricket final played at King George Park on Saturday.
With both teams tied on six bonus points at the conclusion to the match, Union was awarded the win because of higher run rate. Union scored 207 for 9 in 52 overs for a run rate of 3.98 which was vastly superior to Valley's 2.76 runs per over.
Although neither team was able to dominate the final, Union took a more positive approach and on this basis deserved to win.
Batting first, Union accumulated its runs in dominating style with Mark Wilson and Mike Willetts attacked the bowling in an 83-run partnership. Wilson scored an attractive 57 before he was bowled by leg spinner Craig Power while Willetts bludgeoned four fours and four sixes on his score of 48.
Neil Rushton (30) and Glynn Cameron (26) also made useful contributions against some tight bowling by Paddy Bleach and Jack McKenzie.
Valley started its run chase cautiously and it soon became apparent it was attempting to win by accumulating more bonus points rather than reaching what was a realistic target
With openers Craig Power and Chris Smith carefully preserving their wickets to deny Union bonus points for bowling, Valley reached 75 without loss to tie the bonus points at five all.
Power and Smith then advanced the score to 100 without loss giving Valley its sixth bonus point and a 6-5 advantage, with Union needing two wickets for a first bowling point.
Valley appeared to be in control with three overs remaining when Union broke through with Graeme Pope and Mark Wilson dismissing both openers to obtain the vital sixth bonus point.
Despite the setback, Valley was still in contention needing seven runs off the last over to gain its 7th bonus point and victory, but it fell two runs short. A tight last over by Wilson conceded just the one scoring shot, a four by Bleach and gained the wicket of Kelvin Mansfield.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Borton Cup - Final
Valley Senior vs Union Senior at King George Park
Union Senior 207 ( M. Wilson 57, M. Willetts 48, N.W. Rushton 30, G. R. Cameron 26, A. Johnston 16, A. Fanene 11, P. Bleach 4-45, C. Power 2-58 )
Valley Senior 124-3 ( C. Smith 55, C. Power 48, M. Wilson 2-15 )
Union by run rate
Full scorecard for the match