Margaret River Hawks Cricket Club earned the right to host the grand finals of the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association for the first time since 2013 when they defeated Dunsborough in the battle of the top two A-Grade sides last Saturday.
In the decider to win the prestigious Yates Shield for the top A-Grade qualifying team, Hawks, batting first, overcame a slow start on their home ground (5-52 at drinks) to post a competitive total of 8-157 from 50 overs.
After losing both openers Chris McLean and Gareth Edmonds without scoring, Hawks owed much to teenager Jaiah Moore, who saw off the dangerous fast bowlers Ricky Small-Boyce and John Richardson, and teamed with No. 3 Charith Jayampathi to get the Hawks scoreboard moving.
First change Dunsborough paceman Nathan Whitney was at his best with a devastating 10-over spell which yielded 3-12, and once again the Sri Lankan duo Jayampathi (62) and Rumesh Silva (62) shared what eventuated into a match-winning stand as they rescued the Hawks innings.
But it could have been a different story had Dunsborough not dropped a dolly catch when Silva was in single figures. It was a cruel twist and proved costly.
Chasing 158 for victory (and the right to host the grand final), Dunsborough started well enough with Chris King (37 off 45 balls) chancing his eye to good effect, before Hawks skipper Mat Kent brought himself on to bowl and claimed an outstanding analysis of 4-17 to rip the heart out of the Dunsborough middle order.
Silva's left-arm spin then returned miserly figures of 3-8 off 9.3 overs as Dunsborough succumbed for 113 all out in the 38th over.
The other A-Grade game last Saturday saw YOBS defeat St Marys in a low-key affair at Barnard Park. No fewer than 20 bowlers were used (11 by St Marys, 9 by YOBS) as the sides demonstrated little to play for, destined to qualify third and fourth on the A-Grade ladder.
Highlights from the game included a return to form by Troyden Thorp, who struck an unbeaten 79 for YOBS in their total of 7-200, and a brilliant fielding effort at square-leg by teenager Riley Burton for St Marys to catch a high swirling ball over his head.
Other St Marys teenagers also impressed, including spinner Lachie Campbell (2-32 off 10 overs) and James Tunstill (2-38 off 10 overs).
Saints responded with 128 all out, Ben Payne snaring 3-10 with his accurate off-spin.
Dunsborough will now host YOBS in this Saturday's do-or-die A-Grade preliminary final at Dunsborough to earn the right to meet Hawks in the grand final on March 21.
In B-Grade cricket, St Marys (7-184, Ash Leaney 50) qualified on top of the table when they defeated Hawks (104 all out).
YOBS claimed the other second semi-final berth when they defeated Cowaramup on the turf wicket at that ground. YOBS made 153 all out (Jack O'Malley making a hard-hitting 47, and Oscar Herbst taking four wickets for Cowaramup) and then dismissed the Bulls for 90.
As a result, Cowaramup have just missed out on the B-Grade finals.
At Vasse, Dunsborough owed their winning total of 8-212 against Vasse to a knock of 102 by Nic Barr (Brad Kearney and Scott Young taking 3 wickets each). Vasse were dismissed in reply for 120, with Brodie Gould and Matt Cooper grabbing 3 scalps apiece.
The same sides will meet again in Saturday's B-Grade sudden-death first semi-final at Dunsborough.
In C-Grade cricket last weekend Dunsborough claimed the minor premiership when they defeated YOBS at Dunsborough by seven wickets, with just 5 balls to spare.
