FIRST GRADE
NEW Norfolk I made it one step closer to a three-peat with a convincing win over St Aidans by eight wickets to advance to the preliminary final.
Playing at Tynwald Park, the Redcaps won the toss and, backing their bowlers, sent the Saints into bat who were then bowled out for just 96 from 19.4 overs.
Opener Jye Lester from his eight overs took two of the top three batsman finishing with 2-35.
Thomas Briscoe and Josh Rowlands then teamed up to take the reaming eight wickets.
Briscoe taking 4-40 (6.4) and Rowlands from just four overs finishing with 4-15 in a great cameo.
The St Aidans innings included four ducks.
In reply, New Norfolk finished 2/97 from just 16.5 overs.
Opener Matthew Bowden remained 32 not out from 57 deliveries (one four, two sixes) and fellow opener Harry Booth made smacked 41 from just 28 balls.
Booth’s innings included six fours and two sixes, the pair adding 60 for the first wicket.
Seb Wishart made 13 (16) two fours. New Norfolk will now play St Annes on Saturday.
SECOND GRADE
GRETNA I booked themselves into their third SCA 50-over grand final in the past four years with a gutsy three-wicket win over Derwent in the preliminary final last Saturday.
Needing 200 for victory, Gretna found themselves on shaky ground at 3/31 with Corey Ransley 3 (7), Brad Wallis 13 (43) and Rhys Browning 5 (5) one four, all back in the sheds.
Gretna needed a settler and they got it from Trent Grant who played his most important innings to date with a well-put-together and patient 49 (91).
Grant guided six fours and shared a valuable 68-run stand with Todd Jarvis who then took the reins and added a further 21 with Richard Graham 11 (12) one four.
Gretna lost Crosswell for a duck and were 6/121.
Peter Jelkic added a quick fire 17 (14) one six, before he was bowled and the score 7/147 with still plenty to do.
Jackson Ackerly then joined Jarvis and the pair went about chasing down the target in a partnership that was full of determination and will to win.
Jarvis who came in with the score on 4/99 did everything that was required, his cool-headed 52 from 99 deliveries with three fours was an innings that showed plenty of character and leadership.
Ackerly’s 26 from 31 deliveries was as important as any he has played in his 254 matches.
Gretna finished 7/200 off 48.5 overs.
Earlier in the Derwent innings where they won the toss and elected to bat, Gretna had them at 7/112 but a fight back saw them rebuild to 10/199 off 49.3 overs.
Richard Graham took 3-44 (7.3), Corey Ransley held his nerve finishing with 2-37 (10), Trent Grant bowled with pace taking 2-43 (10) and Jamie Duggan was vey economical from his 10 overs taking 2-26 . Zac Crosswell was playing his 100th match for Gretna I.
SEVENTH GRADE
BOTHWELL II are into their first SCA 50-over grand final after they defeated St Aidans by three wickets at Bothwell on Sunday.
The visitors, who won the toss and electing to bat, were dismissed for 111 off 35.4 overs.
Opening bowler Josh Eyles who had a great match with both bat and ball sending down eight overs taking 2-21.
Fellow opener Ryan Triffitt took 1-25 (4), the ever-reliable Peter Hansch did his job with 2-23 (8), Michael Spaulding was very tight taking 2-14 from eight overs while Simon Eyles snared 2-13 (2.4).
In reply, the Bucks lost early wickets and found themselves at 5-33 but Josh Eyles put the match back in his team’s favour with an entertaining knock of 52 not out from 40 balls.
Josh clubbed five fours and three sixes, one landing on Hollow Tree Road narrowly missing a passing car and was lost for some time in the paddock.
It took former Ouse and Gretna cricketer Ian Booth’s keen eyes to eventually find it.
Simon Eyles made a very handy knock of 17 from 22 with two fours while Stuart Eyles remained 3 not out (6). Earlier, captain and opener Joey Eyles made 14 (23) with one four.
During Joey’s stay at the crease his brand new bat broke in half.
I’m sure the veteran has an oldie to use for the big one next week. Bothwell finished 7/112 from 21.5 overs.
Bothwell have both men’s sides into their respective grand finals in what will be a big day for the club.
Quick Single’s tips for big finals’ weekend
FIRST GRADE
WITH New Norfolk I wanting to make amends for their qualifying loss to St Annes a couple weeks back, I’m tipping them to signal their intentions early and control the match from start to finish.
Opener Matthew Bowden should get the Redcaps off to a solid start with the the bat, while captain Jason Rigby will cherish the responsibility of steering the ship in the middle order, a job he does so well time and time again.
Jye Lester will be looking to be very good with the ball and give nothing away.
Jeremy Nichols and Thomas Briscoe will back up their strike bowler and pick up where Lester finishes off.
X Factor – Josh Rowlands.
SECOND GRADE
IN second grade, I’m going to go with Gretna I to take out their first ever SCA premiership.
Gretna are one-all this season against MacKillop with the most recent being Round 14 with Gretna taking the chocolates by two wickets.
Captain Brad Wallis will lead from the front with the bat as will Rhys Browning and Richard Graham and probably a cameo from Peter Jelkic.
Corey Ransley will want this win as much as any and will lead the charge with the ball, Craig Cunningham in his 300th club match will want to spin his team to victory.
X Factor – Todd Jarvis.
FOURTH GRADE
WITH Bothwell I also chasing their first 50-over premiership, the Bucks will be very hungry and should take out the flag in a hard-earned victory.
Josh Eyles is in red-hot form and, like his brothers, Nathan Eyles loves the big stage.
Brock Nichols will team up with the experienced Matthew Eyles with the ball and the pair should finish with great figures.
X Factor – Cody Eyles.
SEVENTH GRADE
I’M tipping Bothwell to make the double for the club and take out their first 40-over premiership.
Troy Branch who will return to the side and with Ashley Browning the pair should do well with the willow as should Simon Eyles.
I’m tipping Zac Wilcox to do damage with the ball along with the dedicated Michael Spaulding who has been travelling down from Perth each week to play for the past two seasons.
X Factor – Dylan Branch.
Finals Fixtures – Week 3
All matches start at 10:30am.
FIRST GRADE Preliminary Final St Annes v New Norfolk I at Cadbury Oval No.1.
SECOND GRADE Grand Final MacKillop v Gretna I at North Warrane.
THIRD GRADE Grand Final Sandford v Weily Park at Sandford.
FOURTH GRADE Grand Final Bothwell I v Old Beach at Bothwell.
FIFTH GRADE Grand Final Knights v MacKillop at Collinsvale Oval.
SIXTH GRADE Grand Final Derwent v St Annes at TBD.
SEVENTH GRADE Grand Final Wellington v Bothwell II at Eady Street Oval No.1.