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 of 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 38 th 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.
Bruce Siney (55) and Chris Dudley (78) continued their great form for Dunsborough, while YOBS' best were Scott Maitland (47) and Simon White (43).
The other C-Grade qualifying games saw Cowaramup (9-143, Dillen Watson hitting 45) defeat Nannup (8-89, Mark Barrett-Lennard 3-8) at Nannup, and Hawks (3-101) get the better of St Marys (98) with 17 overs to spare.
It was another hard-luck story for Cowaramup, for despite beating Nannup, they just missed out on the finals, mirroring the performance of their B-Grade side.
The C-Grade semi-finals this Saturday will be a double-header at Margaret River, with Dunsborough hosting Vasse at the Margaret River Nippers Oval for a grand final spot, and Hawks playing YOBS on the other synthetic wicket in the first semi.
Willow Warriors too good in T29 grand final
As the sun sets on yet another great season of Chicken Treat Margaret River Big Bash, our grand final was held on Friday at the glorious Gloucester Park in Margaret River.
A huge thank you must go the our grounds team, and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River for a picturesque facility as usual.
The match was between the Madness and Willow Warriors, and the Warriors won the toss and sent Madness into bat.
Madness had played two games previous this week and it was showing.
By the 5th over they were 6/19. 8/42 after 10.
With the help of Breac's 36/22 Madness ended their innings 10/98, Breac finished undefeated.
Warriors openers Garsty and Mitch got the start they needed, with Garsty retiring on 25.
Madness continued to give it their best but unfortunately Warriors had beaten their score on the 13th over.
The minor premiers, and premiers were the Willow Warriors, while the Sons of Pitches took out the wooden spoon.
Bowler of the year, with 14 wickets, was Garth Miller, while Andrew Nobbs hit 263 runs to be the best batsman in the competition.
With 11 catches and 4 run outs, Paul Berry was the fielder of the year.
MVP was Zac Fagan with 216 runs, 13 wickets and 391 points.
All Star Squad
Willow Warriors - Zac Fagan, Oscar Adrian, Grant Garstone, Tom McDonald
Finbats - Andrew Hobbs, Holmesy, Blackie, Harps
Madness - Paul Berry, Pete Humphries,
The Big Show - Sachi
BushChooks- Sebby, Jake
Master Batters - Garth Miller
Sons of Pitches - Nicholas
Thank you to our sponsors Chicken Treat and Ventura South West, friends and family for supporting the teams and a special thank you to all the wives and girlfriends and of course to all the guys who play, we couldn't do it without you. Bring on Season 20/21!
