Farrer made 165 thanks to Cruickshank’s explosive innings and then restricted McCarthy to 4-146.

Farrer’s five bowlers – Lachlan Barton (1-28), Alex Roseby (1-35), Brock Ridgewell (1-27), Lachlan Davidson (0-21) and skipper Jack Richards (1-23) all bowled good four over stints but it was Cruickshank who sparked up Farrer’s batting effort.

Farrer were nosediving at 4-76 when Adam Cruickshank strode to the wicket with the dismissal of Jack Richards for 30.

He lost Lachlan Davidson not long after for 17 with Farrer 5-80.

Noah Pitt joined Cruickshank and far from falling away Cruikshank found his touch.

He proceeded to light up the ground hitting six out of the ground in a half century that contained just 14 scoring shots.

In the Ron George Trophy modified rules gain extra runs for any one than one six in an over.

Cruickshank hit an early six off the first ball of an over from Beau Alderton. Two balls later he exploded hitting three successive sixes . 

Under the rules a second six in the over earns an extra four runs.

His second and third sixes both earned 10 runs. And to finish the over off he hit another six. Under the rules the last ball of the over is worth double runs. So instead of being 10 runs it become 20.

In the end it became a 49-run over and suddenly Farrer were back in the game.

He was out caught on the mid wicket boundary by Jye Paterson off James Austin chasing another major.

Austin finished with 1-17 from his four overs, Keytan Hislop claimed 3-21 from his four and Jack Hannaford 2-26 off his four overs.

“That was the difference,” said Farrer coach Dave Olrich.

“Adam’s hardly scored a run all comp. He also took two good catches as well.”

McCarthy coach Peter Virgen also lauded Cruickshank. “It was a magnificent innings,” Virgen said.