Playing in the best of three grand final series saw Harden win the first match by nine wickets while the second match saw a no result with rain washing out play.

In Saturday’s third grand final Harden chased Big O’s moderate score of 74 runs cruising to victory in the 23rd over finishing with 4/76.

For Harden this was first Merrin Cup title since the 1995/96 season when they easily accounted for High School Colts in the decider at Fisher Park.

Big O won the toss and batted on what could only be described as the best batting deck at Albert Park since the playing of the VB Country Plate final series in December 2008 and their score of just 74 runs was by far their lowest score of the season.

It was Simon Doolan, a great big match player who rose to the fore. The former New South Wales Country quick that turns 43 in May, showed his class, removing the important wickets of Peter Louttit, Nick Heggaton, and at that, stage Doolan had the impressive figures of 2/0 from 12 deliveries. Later in his spell, he clean bowled Michael Buttriss finishing with the incredible figures of 3/7 from nine overs.

Tom O’Brien mopped up the tail to finish with 3/18 from eight overs, while Chris Etherington captured 2/24 from 10 overs.

In the quest of just 75 runs for premiership glory, Harden lost Matt Schofield for five, younger brother and skipper Nathan Schofield for 29, Bill Stanley for 15 and Rob Barron for one.

Nathan Schofield was deservedly awarded the John Miers Memorial trophy for the best player in the Grand Final series with scores of 43 not out and 29.