New Norfolk's thrilling victory

Southern Cricket Association
Finals Week 2

AFTER a thrilling victory over Gretna I in the 2nd Grade first semi-final at Gretna on Saturday, New Norfolk I will now play Molesworth I in the preliminary final. With Gretna 9-206 and needing six runs to win on a tie, with four balls remaining, New Norfolk's Leigh Berry took a spectacular one-handed catch on the boundary to claim victory for the Red Caps. Batsman Corey Ransley must have thought he had made the distance and got his team over the line, but it wasn't to be.

New Norfolk had won the toss and elected to bat, hitting up the competitive score of 5-212 off their 50 overs. Opener Jake King batted well, making 62, and when he was out the Red Caps were 5-113. Match-winner Leigh Berry continued on, making the good score of 75 not out (11 fours), while his captain Glen Williams remained 25 not out to give their team a good score to defend. Craig Cunningham was the main wicket taker for Gretna with 2-35 while Bruce Emery showed his experience, bowling extremely well and finishing with 1-18 off 10. Aaron Maddox and Jackson Ackerly also picked up a wicket each.

In reply to New Norfolk's 212, Gretna got off to a great start with openers Ben Rainbird and and Damien Hack putting on 55 before Hack was out for 13. Burns and Rainbird then got the score to 113 and Gretna looked the goods until Burns fell for 34 and then 27 runs later Rainbird was out for a great captains knock of 75 with 12 well-struck fours. At this stage Gretna was 3-140 and still in control, but the next seven wickets were lost for 66 runs and the side was bowled out in the final over. The experienced pair of Stewart Rice and Ashley Morgan showed the way for New Norfolk, picking up three wickets each while Jamie Maddox and Josh Dykes also did well snaring two each. Josh Rowlands had a great day in the field, taking four catches while Leigh Berry got three - with the last being a classic match winner.

New Norfolk and Gretna have had some classic finals matches dating back to the 1980s and Saturday's thriller was no exception. Well done New Norfolk, maybe this will be your season.

In the 2nd Grade second semi-final at Clarendon Vale, Rokeby recorded a comfortable six-wicket win over Molesworth I to go straight into the grand final. Molesworth won the toss and elected to bat, making 152 before being bowled out in the 32nd over. D. Williams top-scored with 35 (5 fours and 1 six) while youngster Daniel Coppleman made 31 (6 fours) and brother Brad made 23. Brad Ransley got 19 and Chris Slater 16. In reply Rokeby was hardly troubled, losing just four wickets in the run chase and finishing 4-153 off 22.1 overs. The Molesworth bowlers tried hard, but on the small Clarendon Vale oval it can be very frustrating. Brad Coppleman was the pick of them with 1-34 off seven overs.

After having a week off, Bushy Park went down to the Mackillop Beltas by nine wickets in the 4th Grade second semi-final at Boyer Oval. Bushy won the toss and decided to have first, hit making the small total of 139 and being bowled out in the 40th over. Bushy Park lost wickets regularly, but Troy Smith did well at the top of the order making 34. Batting at number eight Nick Fenton top-scored with 47, and Damien Madden made 10. No other batsman recorded double figures. In reply the Beltas had all the answers, losing just the one wicket in the run chase and finishing 1-144 off 34.3 overs. Mitch Crosswell was the wicket taker with 1-20 off seven overs. Bushy Park now plays Old Beach in the do-or-die preliminary final.      


SCORES - SECOND GRADE 1st Semi Final:  New Norfolk 5-212 off 50 overs (15 extras) d Gretna I  10-206 off 49.3 overs (9 extras) at Gretna. New Norfolk batting: Leigh Berry 75 (11-4s), Jake King 62 (5-4s), Glen Williams 25 (1-4), David Maddox 13 (2-4s), Rohan Heron 12 (1-4). Gretna bowling: Craig Cunningham 2-35 (9), Jackson Ackerly 1-15 (4), Bruce Emery 1-18 (10), Aaron Maddox 1-41 (8). Gretna batting: Ben Rainbird 75 (12-4s), Mathew Burns 34 (6-4s), Glenn Blackwell 17 (3-4s), Craig Cunningham 15 (1-6), Bruce Emery 13 (2-4s), Damien Hack 13, Peter Jelkic 12 (2-4s).  New Norfolk bowling: Ashley Morgan 3-28 (8.3), Stewart Rice 3-40 (10), Jamie Maddox 2-42 (10), Josh Dykes 2-43 (9).

2nd Semi Final: Rokeby 4-153 off 22.1 overs (11 extras) d Molesworth I 10-152 off 31.3 overs at Clarendon Vale. Molesworth batting: D. Williams 35 (5-4s, 1-6), Daniel Coppleman 31 (6-4s), Brad Coppleman 23 (1-4, 2-6s), Brad Ransley 19 (3-4s), Chris Slater 16 (3-4s). Molesworth bowling: Brad Coppleman 1-34 (7), Chris Slater 1-27 (4), Daniel Coppleman 1-27 (4), Nathan Eiszele 1-42 (4).

FOURTH GRADE 2nd Semi Final: Mackillop Beltas 1-144 off 34.3 overs (22 extras) d Bushy Park 10-139 off 39.4 overs (19 extras) at Boyer Oval. Bushy Park batting: Nick Fenton 47, Troy Smith 34, Damien Madden 10. Bushy Park bowling: Mitchell Crosswell 1-20 (7).