Dunsborough will meet YOBS in the final of the Busselton-Margaret River A-grade T20 cricket competition at Barnard Park on February 3 after the last round of preliminary games were fought out in oppressive heat at the weekend.
Three sides finished the T20 competition on three wins and one loss, with Cowaramup the unlucky team to miss out on a spot in the final on net run rate. Hawks and St Marys finished well out of the running.
The closest finish of the weekend saw Cowaramup, batting first, make 4/161 from their 20 overs and Dunsborough respond with 9/155 with Nick Ritchie striking 55.
Cowaramup gave themselves a chance of making the final after beating both Hawks and Dunsborough in their double-header at Margaret River on Saturday. Brilliant allrounder Kavy de Silva was at his best for the Bulls, hitting eight big sixes on the day, three against Hawks (in 39 not out) and five against Dunsborough (in a knock of 46), to set up the two wins for his side.
The closest finish of the weekend saw Cowaramup, batting first, make 4/161 from their 20 overs and Dunsborough respond with 9/155 with Nick Ritchie striking 55.
Although Margaret River Hawks lost both their games at the weekend, their players contributed some notable performances, with teenager Kurt Thompson taking a five-wicket bag against YOBS including a spell of four wickets in six balls, and Martin Head making a welcome return to the team.
Saturday’s only 50-over A-grade game saw a remarkable performance by young St Marys allrounder Shay Thackrah, who nearly stole a win for his side over the stronger YOBS team at Barnard Park. After YOBS had batted first and made 157, St Marys looked to be down and out when they slumped to 9-97 in reply. Thackrah then stepped up with a display of powerhouse hitting, making 55 not out off 50 balls including 22 runs off one over from YOBS skipper Ben Payne. The final wicket of Ash Gower fell with the score at 137, giving YOBS victory by 20 runs to end a good contest.
YOBS import Ardene Ruhode again played a valuable role with bat and ball, scoring 36 to open the day while 16-year-old Troyden Thorp continued his consistent form with a solid 36. Haig Colombera also returned to form for YOBS with three wickets.
Saturday’s B-grade T20 games saw a win achieved in record time, with YOBS taking just 2.1 overs to pass Cowaramup’s total of 40 at the Dunsborough Playing Fields.
St Marys compiled a high-scoring win over Hawks at Margaret River when they amassed 3-218 from their 20 overs and restricted Hawks to 3-156. Individual results were unavailable at the time of going to press.
B-grade T20 results:
Dunsborough 6-132 (20 overs) (B. Siney 29no, C. Dudley 28, E. Piggott 2-14) b YOBS 7-100 (20 overs) (M. Walsh 27, C. Snow 22no, M. Lepidi 3-23) at Dunsborough.
YOBS 0-46 (2.1 overs) (L. Wedderburn 34no) b Cowaramup 40 (12.1 overs) (J. Trewren 4-18, C. Snow 3-10) at Dunsborough.
Margaret River Hawks 6-147 (19.5 overs) b Vasse 8-143 (20 overs) at Margaret River.
St Marys 3-218 (20 overs) b Margaret River Hawks 3-156 (20 overs) at Margaret River.