First week of the cricket finals reviewed

Nathan Rice made a valuable contribution in New Norfolk II's
second semi-final win last weekend.

Kookaburra Southern Cricket Association 

First Week of Finals
February 29-March 1 

SECOND GRADE: In a very good all-round effort, New Norfolk II playing at home booked itself a spot in the Second Grade grand final after accounting for Gretna I by five wickets in the second semi-final last Saturday. After winning the toss and batting, Gretna was bowled out for 137 off 42 overs. In reply, the Red Caps were travelling along nicely with openers Jake King 31 (35) and Rohan Heron 25 (47) putting on 57, but then New Norfolk lost 5/24. The ship needed steadying and they got this from young Nathan Rice who showed a cool head making a valuable 34 from 51 deliveries and Richard Graham with a more than a run a ball 22 (20). The pair put on 58 and got their team home. Rice was in great form hitting three 4s and two 6s as was Graham who found the boundary on four occasions. With the ball, Aaron Maddox gave his all for Gretna taking 4-44 from eight overs, while Trent Grant and Glenn Blackwell teamed up with a run out. Earlier with the bat for Gretna, which lost wickets regularly, Jackson Acklery at number six made a handy 38 with four 4s. First drop Craig Cunningham made 18 with two boundaries while opener Glenn Blackwell made 16 (16) two 4s. For the Red Cap bowlers, the wickets were shared around with Stewart Rice taking 3-36 (10). Nathan Rice - whose cricket is coming on in leaps and bounds - sent down five overs taking 2-14. Opener Bradley Chaplin was tight with 2-20 (7) as was Richard Graham taking 1-19 (6). Jamie Hill took 1-23 (5) and Josh Walsh 1-6 (2). Gretna will now play Derwent in the preliminary final at Gretna after Derwent 2/71 off 15.5 overs thrashed Richmond/Cambridge 10/68 off 32.3 overs at Geilston Bay.

FOURTH GRADE: After winning their past nine matches, Bothwell I went down to Hobart in the second semi-final at home by 21 runs. Bothwell won the toss and sent the visitors in and at one stage was cruising at 2-115, but then lost 8 for 47 to be all out for 162 off 47.5 overs. In reply, the Bucks were going well at 2-69, but then lost regular wickets and were bowled out for 141 from 46.3 overs. At number three, Josh Eyles top-scored with 37 from 42 deliveries, hitting four 4s and a 6. Cody Eyles made 17 from  22 (one 4) and Jamie Devine made 16 (21) two 4s. Earlier with the ball, Matthew Eyles with his finals experience bowled very well taking 4-32 from his 10 overs. Captain Cody Eyles sent down 6.5 overs taking 2-24. Opener Josh Eyles had a good day taking 2-41 (10) while Mark Pearce took 1-24 (9.2) and Brock Nichols 1-30 (10). Bothwell will now play St Virgil’s in the preliminary final at Bothwell on Saturday after St Virgil’s 5/263 off 50 overs d. Richmond/Cambridge 10/131 off 35.3 overs at St Virgil’s College Oval No.1.

FIFTH GRADE: Gretna at home went down to Claremont by 26 runs in the Fifth Grade first semi-final. Claremont won the toss and made 8/191 from its 50 overs and in reply Gretna was right on track at 2-110, but then the match was stopped after a Claremont player was hit with the ball and was taken by ambulance. When play resumed, Gretna lost wickets regularly and fell short at 10/165 from 45 overs. The century-maker from last week, Zac Crosswell, again top-scored with a fine 60 from 65 deliveries. Crosswell’s innings included nine 4s and one 6. Opener Jordan Hastie showed great patience with 29 (67) two 4s. Ross Langford made 17 (one 4) and Jake Campbell 14 (29) (one 4). With the ball for Gretna, young Bailey Wheeler continued his good form sending down 10 overs taking 3-38. Ross Langford also did well taking 2-19 from nine overs including three maidens. Josh Whitford took 2-42 (10) and Zac Crosswell 1-13 from five overs.

SEVENTH GRADE: Bothwell II had a day to forget in the first semi-final. Playing Campania and being one player short, the Bucks were sent into bat by the home team and were bowled out for the paltry total of just 20 from 11.4 overs. Nathan White top-scored with 7 while six batsmen failed to score. In reply, Campania finished 3/22 off 6.4 overs. Nathan White tried his all capturing all three batsmen finishing with 3-10 off 3.4 overs. The Bucks now bow out of the finals for the 2019/20 season.

WOMENS: Bothwell went down to Montagu Bay by 103 runs at Eady St Oval No.1 in the semi-final. The Sharks had first hit, making the big score of 5/219 from their 20 overs. In reply, Bothwell finished 9/116 from its 20 overs. Opener Leisa Pearce batted well and top-scored with 18 from just 15 deliveries (retired), including two 4s. Fellow opener Kristy Mayne made 11 (15). Next in Tara-lee Pearce made 11 from 15 (retired) as did Joanne Pursell. With the ball, Leisa Pearce did well taking 2-33 (4), Rachel Clark took 1-26 (4). Kristy Mayne got 1-36 off her four overs and Jemma Burke took 1-38 (4). A big well done to the team. In just their first season, to make the finals is a real credit to all involved. Just getting a side together to play is a fantastic achievement, but to make finals as well is a job done well.

WADE GLEESON