Last Saturday's Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association grand finals were played out in blustery conditions as the final games of the year determined the premiers in all grades.
All games saw some remarkable individual efforts significantly influence the results.
The A grade grand final saw Yobs take on Dunsborough and on winning the toss, Dunsborough captain Aaron Mott elected to bowl.
Opener Bailey Sanford was dismissed early when bowled by Josh Reagan for one which brought youngster Lachie Golding to the crease.
Along with the Simon Godridge(17), Golding and the rest of the Yobs middle order all posted good starts and contributed well to the innings.
At drinks the game was well placed at 2/72 with Yobs then going on to post a strong score of 10/177. The innings was closed down in the penultimate over with tight bowling from Nathan Whitney(3/26) and Jesse Gautrey(2/29) important for the visitors.
Yobs all-rounder Haig Colombera again produced an important innings by top scoring with 30 not out. Colombera then opened the bowling in the best possible way claiming Dunsborough opener Devyn Coote in the first over of Dunsboroughs innings.
Captain Aaron Mott and Jake Gillett then began the run chase in earnest and along with Chris Reagan(32) had the visitors well placed at 2/73 before a stunning spell of bowling from man of the match Simon Godridge and great support in the field saw Yobs take seven wickets for just 17 runs.
Godridge who had only been used as an occasional bowler throughout the season produced a memorable spell of 7/21 off eight overs and his efforts stunned onlookers as he claimed the final wicket to ensure a comprehensive 71 run win.
The win capped off a great year for Yobs who claimed the Barnard Cup for the first time since 2007/08. Yobs Captain Nayton Colombera was ecstatic with his sides win and paid tribute to all his players who played throughout the year, with special mention of Godridge for his efforts on the day.
BMRCA President Wayne Thackrah thanked all clubs for their participation this year and highlighted the strength of the local competition with youngsters Lachie Golding(Yobs A) and Liam Dallimore(Dunsborough B) making significant contributions to their sides wins on the day.
Both players had recently represented BMRJCA and their clubs in country week and had gone on to be selected in the WACA junior Country XI for the 2014/15 season.
The BMRCA wind up will be held at the Naturaliste Community Centre on Saturday evening 11th April with all players invited and encourage to attend.
Dunsborough win B grade in a thriller
Saturdays B grade grand final saw Dunsborough take on Vasse and on winning the toss Dunsborough elected to bat.
A sustained and inspired spell of bowling from Vasse’s Sam Shepherd saw Dunsborough in early trouble and at drinks were 3/51.
Following the break several key bowling changes had Vasse gain the upper hand with Damien Helliwell(2/7) and Jason Dalgleish(1/15) proving damaging along with Shepherd who ended the innings with 5/20 off his nine overs.
Following the break, Dunsborough continued to grind away and were eventually dismissed for 112. Opener Richard Spence top scored with 25, and a final wicket partnership of 16 between Matt Cooper and Bryce Balsillie also proving important.
In reply, the Vasse innings began well with the side racing to a winning position of 0-64 off the first 10 overs. What then transpired was nothing short of amazing when the game was turned on its head by an inspired bowling partnership between Dunsboroughs Liam Dallimore(3/20) and man of the match Pete Morris(5/20).
With Vasse loosing nine wickets for 38 runs the final partnership came together with 15 runs still to get before a run out effected by Irfan Uddin saw Dunsborough to a memorable win.
Vasse Captain John Albury was proud of his sides season despite the loss and paid tribute to Shepherd who’s bowling had given his side a genuine chance at victory.
Dunsborough captain Shamus Henry was thrilled with the win-“cutting a very long story short, I can’t believe we won from there”-in reference to his side taking 10 wickets for 40runs to see Dunsborough claim its first B grade premiership since 2006/07.
Augusta claim C grade and first ever premiership
The Augusta Cricket Club partied long and hard last Saturday night after winning its first premiership in its 50 year history.
On winning the toss, St Marys elected to bat but were dismissed for 108 on the back of strong bowling performances from Augustas’ Braden Warnke and Michael Harrison.
In reply, St Mary’s started strongly and had Augusta in early trouble at 2/6 in the second over. In a stand out performance, man of the match Michael Harrison then hit 76not out and saw Augusta home with the loss of only 3 wickets.
In a fitting tribute, Augusta captain Jim Warnke then presented the premiership cup to the clubs only life member, George MacAulay for safe keeping as the club was yet to install a trophy cabinet for its first premiership trophy.
Photos by Kendall Sinclair and Sophia Clements.
