Results from the final round of local cricket

Molesworth I captain Jamie Adams scored 151
runs off 134 deliveries last weekend.

Southern Cricket Association 
Men’s 50-over matches (Derwent Valley games)
Round 14

THIS season's KSCA roster matches are now complete and what a round the final session was! Three big centuries, six scores of 50 or more, some very big partnerships, a five-wicket haul and a very close match in Fourth Grade. In the end, some of our local teams made finals and some missed out. Here's how Round 14 unfolded.

FIRST GRADE: In the final roster match, ladder leader New Norfolk I traveled to Eady St where it was totally outplayed by Wellington, going down by 248 runs. Batting first, the home side amassed the very good score of 8/328 from its 50 overs. In reply and in uncharacteristic fashion, the Red Caps were bundled out for just 80 from 25 overs. The visitors just couldn’t get it together and opener Seb Wishart was the only batsman making more than 20, finshing with 22. With the ball, Jason Rigby took 1-51 (10). Despite the loss, New Norfolk still finished on top of the First Grade ladder and will now have a week's rest due to it being a top five finals series.

SECOND GRADE: A blistering 151 from Molesworth I captain Jamie Adams, 96 from opener Daniel Coppleman and a five-wicket haul from Jeremy Nichols set the tone for their team's big win over the Knights at Collinsvale. After being sent in to bat and with a finals spot still up for grabs, the Molesworth batsmen pilled on the runs in emphatic fashion. Adams joined Coppleman at the crease with the score at 1/9, and the pair set about destroying the home side's bowling attack, belting boundaries at will and putting on a 149-run stand. Coppleman’s 96 came from just 89 deliveries, hitting 15 4s and three 6s. After Brad Coppleman went cheaply, Nick Piuselli joined Adams and the two kept the runs flowing, compiling a 92-run stand. Piuselli belted nine 4s in his 49 off just 39 balls faced. Adams went soon after, but not before making his second century of the season, amassing 151 from 134 balls. The run-machine belted 13 4s and 12 6s, running for just 27 of his big score. Brad Ransley continued the carnage smacking 47 from 19 deliveries, hitting a lazy five 4s and four 6.  Larry Menzie with 28 from 12 with a 4 and three 6s, lifted the team's total to 7/392 from its 50 overs. In reply, the Knights were bowled out for 268 from 48.3 overs. The destroyer, Jeremy Nichols who picked up his best bowling figures for the season, captured 5-38 from his 10 overs. In an excellent spell the opener removed five of the top seven batsmen. Brad Coppleman, who unusually missed out with the bat, took 2-43 (10). Molesworth did everything to keep its finals chances alive, but fell just short and will take its big win as a positive into next season.

In a do-or-die match to stay in the finals, Gretna I, sitting in fourth spot, toppled second-placed Derwent by 106 runs and in turn took their spot and gained the double chance. Playing at home, Gretna with good vibes amongst the players were sent into bat and made the very good score of 9/265 from its 50 overs. Earlier the home side was 1/12, but then a 78 run stand from captain Ben Rainbird 38 (six fours) and Rhys Browning got this going. Soon after, Mathew Burns joined Browning and the pair took full control, putting on a 131 run partnership. Both players showed great stroke play with Browning compiling a fine 75 from 96 (seven fours, one six). Burns was on fire making 76 from just 61 and hit four fours and four big sixes. Jackson Ackerly made a run a ball 19 and Aaron Maddox 18 from 22. In reply, Derwent were no match and was bowled out for 159 off 45.1 overs. Aaron Maddox who continues to play well, sent down 8.1 overs capturing 4-49. Jackson Ackerly was tight with 2-11 (6) as was Mathew Burns with 10 overs 1-14 with three maidens. Craig Cunningham did well with 1-30 (10).

In the match at Tynwald Park, New Norfolk II defeated Richmond/Cambridge by 31 runs and now sits 23 points clear on top of the Second Grade ladder heading into the finals. After winning the toss and batting, the Red Caps made the good score of 9/256 from their 50 overs. The opening duo of Rohan Heron and Jake King was again among the runs. Heron made 65 (six 4s) and King 43 (54) hitting four 4s and one 6, putting on an opening stand of 95. Dave Maddox 29 and Nathan Rice 32 then put on 58, while down the order Stewart Rice made 23 (17) and Mitchell Crosswell 22 not out from just 14 deliveries. In reply, the visitors after putting on 107 for the fourth wicket were 4/153, but then there was a run out and they lost their last six wickets for 72 to be all out for 225 from 48.2 overs. Richard Graham was the main wicket-taker with 3-60 (8.2), Jamie Hill 2-26 (7) and Stewart Rice was tight 1-11 (7) with three maidens.

FOURTH GRADE: Looking at its first defeat since round five, Bothwell I snatched victory in the dying stages against St Virgil’s to win by three runs. Chasing Bothwell’s total of 9/177 off 50 overs, St Virgil's was cruising at 5/154, but then the pressure from the Bucks mounted and the wheels fell off and the Saints were bowled out for 174 off 38 overs. Brock Nichols was the main destroyer, sending down 10 overs to capture 4-27. Captain Cody Eyles was just as good helping with the downfall by taking 3-35 from nine overs, while Josh Eyles took 2-51 from his 10 overs. Earlier with the bat for the Bucks, Josh Eyles top-scored with 31 from 34 deliveries, hitting a 4 and three 6s. Brock Nichols made a very patient 25. Connor Woodham remained 24no and Cody Eyles made 23. Bothwell I has now won its last nine matches and will go into the finals full of confidence in the quest to win its first flag since joining the association in 2015/16.

FIFTH GRADE: Thanks to an excellent century from allrounder Zac Crosswell, Gretna II booked itself a home final. In the battle for home ground advantage for the first semi-final, Gretna easily defeated Claremont by eight wickets at Abbotsfield Park. Needing 198 to win, Gretna was 1-4, but then a fantastic 158-run partnership between the century-maker Crosswell and Jake Campbell assured the win. Campbell was very solid making a very patient 54 from 112 balls, hitting four 4s. At the other end, Crosswell - who has two hundreds for the season, struck 18 4s during his 111no from 128 balls faced. Crosswell, who gave just the one chance when on 99, then finished off the job with Adam Browning 7no, the pair getting the further 36 needed for victory. Earlier, with the ball for Gretna, openers Adam Browning 2-32 from nine overs and Josh Whitford 2-35 (8) put in good spells, while run-makers Jake Campbell 2-38 (9) and Zac Crosswell 1-23 (6) both got among the wickets and Bailey Wheeler was tight with 1-24 (10).

New Norfolk III finished off the season with a victory, defeating Montagu Bay by five wickets at Clarence High School on Sunday. Winning the toss and batting, the Sharks were bowled out for 114 from 37.1 overs. In reply, the Red Caps finished 5/116 off 25.4 overs. First drop Aaron Triffitt top-scored with 37 from 54 balls faced, hitting four 4s. Triffitt shared a 54-run partnership with opener Chris Ashcroft who made 28 (one 4). Coby Kemmler remained 17no from 17. Earlier with the ball, Luke Jarvis sent down six overs to take the good figures of 3-15, while David Mitchelmore was tight with 2-28 (10) and Nathan Heron picked up 2-22 (6.1).

Molesworth president Brayden Hodge scored
125 for Molesworth II last weekend.

SEVENTH GRADE: A smashing 125 off just 54 deliveries from Brayden Hodge helped Molesworth II to victory at the weekend. Playing at Cadbury Oval No.2 and being sent in to bat, Molesworth made St Virgil’s pay, making the big score of 10/296 from 35.1 overs. The star with the bat, Brayden Hodge, belted the bowlers to all parts of the ground. Hodge, whose hundred was his first for the club, wasted no time, spending just 62 minutes at the crease, totally destroying the opposition bowling attack to the tune of 14 4s and 10 6s! It was 116 in boundaries, leaving just nine runs between the wickets. Hodge put on 59 with captain Jack Evans 29 (33) who did virtually no running with seven 4s. Hodge then put on 78 with Brad Jarvis 9 (18). Earlier, Shayne Upton made 38 from 42 with five 4s and a 6, while Daniel Williams made 22 (19) and opener Nathan Wakefield made 16 sharing a 46-run stand with Upton who also had a 49-run partnership with his captain. In reply, St Virgil’s was bowled out for 165 from 31 overs. As if he wasn’t done, Brayden Hodge then sent down eight overs to finish with 3-29 in what was a superb day of cricket from the president. Jack Evans took 2-24 (6).

Bothwell II defeated second-placed Wellington by three wickets at Bothwell. Batting first, the visitors made 8/153 from their 40 overs. In reply, the Bucks chased down the target, finishing 7/155 from 27 overs. Openers Nathan White 57 and Ashley Browning 34 got the got their team off to a great start and got the bulk of the runs. At number three, Matthew Eyles made 18 and down the order at eight, Jorden Conley remained 19no. Earlier, with the ball, the main wicket takers were Nathan White who took 2-21 (8) and Matthew Eyles who grabbed 2-22 (8). With the win, Bothwell finished fourth and will play Campania in the first-semi.

WADE GLEESON