Molesworth's big finals win

 Ricky Martin with son Kai

Southern Cricket Association
Finals Week 1

FOR the second week in a row Molesworth I captain Ricky Martin has led his team to victory. This time it was the all-important win in the qualifying final over Gretna at Gretna. Martin picked up four wickets as his team skittled Gretna out for 113 runs. The captain then made a half-century during the run chase, smashing 8-4s and 1-6 to see his team to victory and advance to the second semi-final against Rokeby at Clarendon Vale this Saturday. The winner will go through to the grand final.

Molesworth won the toss and in a plan to add early pressure to the in-form Gretna team sent the home side into bat. And the plan came off. The Molesworth attack was right on target and soon had Gretna captain Ben Rainbird back in the sheds for just two runs. Gretna then lost wickets at 16 and 20 before Glenn Blackwell 10 and Craig Cunningham 42 steadied with a 44-run stand. But then Blackwell fell with the score on 64. Cunningham went soon after and a run later Bruce Emery was also out and Gretna were in serious trouble at 6 for 102. Jackson Ackerly tried hard while at the crease, but things didn't get any better and Gretna were all out for the small total of 113.

The experienced Dean King had a big impact on the Gretna top order, taking the big wickets of Rainbird and Burns. Nathan Eiszele did a excellent job also and finished with 3-30 off 10 overs. Tim Nichols 1-22 off 10 also did well and captain Ricky Martin cleaned up the tail, finishing with fine figures of 4-15 off 7 overs.

In reply Molesworth got off to the worst start possible when Corey Ransley had opener Nick Piuselli caught behind first ball of the innings. But from here the visitors were never troubled, reaching the target with only three wickets down. Ricky Martin steering his team to victory remaining 54 not out. Mathew Siely 25 not out, Brad Coppleman 13 and Dean King 12. Gretna opening bowler Corey Ransley gave his all, bowling extremely well as he tried to keep his side in the match, finishing with 3-35 off 9 overs. It was a great finals atmosphere at Gretna on Saturday and the large crowd enjoyed every minute of it.

In the 2nd Grade elimination final, New Norfolk I smashed Runnymede by a whopping 237 runs at Tynwald Park. Opener Jake King belted a fine century, making 126 hitting 14-4s and 2-6s. King shared a 90-run opening stand with fellow opener Rohan Heron who made 40 including 5-4s. After David Maddox was out for 10 and the score was 2-116, King and Ashley Morgan went about again carving up the Runnymede attack, putting on a 138-run stand. Stewart Rice also got amongst the runs making 64 not out (4-4s and 7-6s). In reply Runnymede were never in the hunt and were dismissed for just 93. Josh Rowlands and Jamie Maddox bowling very very well claimed four wickets each to see their team to victory. Josh Dykes also did well picking up the other two Runnymede wickets.

In the 5th Grade elimination final, New Norfolk II went down to Rokeby at Clarendon Vale by 52 runs. Rokeby had first hit, making 10 for 141. Mark Thurston bowled well picking up four wickets as did wicket machine Josh Walsh and Richard Munnings taking three each. In reply New Norfolk just couldn't handle the Rokeby attack and was all out for 89. Captain Stephen Nichols top scored with 16 with tail-enders Mitch Rice 10 and T. Mayne 10 the next best. New Norfolk II now bow out of the finals, but the team should hold its head high as it has a young side with a bright future.

SCORES - SECOND GRADE Qualifying Final: Molesworth 3-114 off 28 overs (10 extras) d Gretna I 10-113 off 34 overs (21 extras) at Gretna. Gretna I batting: Craig Cunningham 42 (5-4s, 1-6), Mathew Burns (1-4 1-6), Jackson Ackerly 13 (2-4s), Glenn Blackwell 10 (1-4). Molesworth I bowling: Ricky Martin 4-15 (7), Nathan Eiszele 3-30 (10), Dean King 2-37 (7), Tim Nichols 1-22 (10). Molesworth I - batting: Ricky Martin 54 (8-4s, 1-6), Mathew Siely 25no (3-4s, 1-6), Brad Coppleman 13 (1-4), Dean King 12 (1-4). Gretna I bowling: Corey Ransley 3-35 (9).

Elimination Final: New Norfolk I 5-330 off 50 overs (28 extras) d Runnymede 10-93 at Tynwald Park. New Norfolk I batting: Jake King 126 (14-4s, 2-6s), Stewart Rice 64 (4-4s, 7-6s), Ashley Morgan 50 (8-4s), Rohan Heron 40 (5-4s), David Maddox 10 (1-4). New Norfolk I bowling: Jamie Maddox 4-21 (6.2), Josh Rowlands 4-30 (10), Josh Dykes 2-34 (10).
 
FIFTH GRADE Elimination Final: Rokeby 10-141 off 35.1 overs (15 extras) d New Norfolk II 10-89 off 20.1 overs (26 extras) at Clarendon Vale. New Norfolk II batting: Stephen Nichols 16 (3-4s), Mitchell Rice 11 (1-6), T. Mayne 10 (1-4, 1-6). New Norfolk II bowling: Mark Thurston 4-46 (9.1), Josh Walsh 3-37 (10), Richard Munnings 3-42 (10).