Dunsborough were the big winners when the inaugural grand finals of the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association T20 competition were held at Barnard Park on Saturday.
Ian Purcell’s B-grade Dunsborough side and Chris Reagan’s A-grade Dunsborough side both got up to win their respective grand finals, beating a luckless YOBS on both occasions.
The day provided a great opportunity to show off the new Barnard Park Pavilion and was capped when City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley and BMRCA life member Barry House presented the medallions to the winning players in front of a good crowd.
The B-grade game was held as a curtain-raiser on the main oval and saw Dunsborough post a strong total of 4-128 from their 20 overs after winning the toss and taking first use of the turf.
Young seamer Ky Spowart claimed two early scalps for YOBS before Chris Dudley (46 not out) and Ian Purcell (36) put on 79 for the fourth wicket to give Dunsborough the front-running.
YOBS were 2-5 in reply and were tied down by tight Dunsborough bowling before teenager Ethan Piggott smashed a rapid 82 not out from 68 balls to revive YOBS’ chances.
Eventually YOBS finished on 3-115 to go down valiantly in the B-Grade final by 13 runs.
The A-grade showdown saw a wicket off the first ball of the game when YOBS’ import Ardene Ruhode (from Zimabwe) was trapped lbw by Dunsborough’s import Ricky Small-Boyce (from West Indies).
Ben Clarke hit hard for 26, Troyden Thorp manufactured 19, and Haig Colombera smashed 30 off 22 balls as YOBS recovered to post a defendable 101 all out from their 20 overs.
Dunsborough’s chase could have ended differently had opener Josh Reagan been caught at gully before he had scored. He made the most of the let-off as he went on to make a match-winning 38 for his side.
YOBS again fought hard in the final stages, with skipper Ben Payne (2-21) and fellow spinner Ruhode (3-15) capitalising on the turning wicket to make Dunsborough earn their crown.
Ultimately Dunsborough snuck home by two wickets with eight balls remaining to end a satisfying day for the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association.
Man of the match awards went to Ethan Piggott (B-grade) and Josh Reagan (A-grade).
Players in all grades have commented favourably on the mid-season T20 concept and this year is likely to be the forerunner for future seasons.
In the Margaret River Chicken Treat Big Bash, just three rounds remain in the competition and unless some sort of miracle occurs, the final four teams are set.
There are just two points separating the top four, and this year the top two get a double chance in the play-offs, so from now on every week is a final.
On Tuesday, Sons of Pitches took on premiership favourites Madness on another hot windy afternoon.
An early wicket was the only joy for the Sons of Pitches as Madness belted everything and put together a run rate of 10.30 to be 1-103 at half time.
The scoring in the second half was just as volatile with 99 runs being added to end up with a whopping 5-202.
In the end, Sons of Pitches fell just 26 runs short in an entertaining game of cricket.
This week, Round 12 kicks off on Tuesday at 5pm on the Western Oval.
Willow Warriors will take on on the Bashers.
On Wednesday, Bush Choox will meet Madness in an important game that could give either team a double chance in finals.
Thursday’s match between Sons of Pitches and Master Batters will see who will secure sixth.
On Friday, Finbats take on the Big Show, who will be pushing for a miracle three-in-a-row to score a finals spot.
