FOURTH GRADE
BOTHWELL I are premiers.
In one of their best performances for the season, the Bucks took out the premiership in emphatic style with a massive 196-run victory over Old Beach that saw the team take out their first SCA 50-over flag.
Played at Bothwell, the match was highlighted by the performance of Josh Eyles who at number six went on a run spree making a superb century that helped his team to 9/268 off 50 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Eyles belted nine fours and nine sixes on his way to 124 off just 77 balls in what was the all-rounder’s highest score for the season.
Opener and captain Cody Eyles made 42 from just 45 deliveries hitting five fours and when he was out the score was 2/64.
Kelvin Eyles made 23 (68) in a very patient innings with three fours.
When Josh Eyles came to the crease the score was 4/74 and when he was dismissed it was 9/267.
Josh put on 69 with his uncle Kelvin Eyles and then continued his attacking batting that helped build the big winning total.
In reply, the Bushrangers were never in the hunt and at one stage lost 5/4 and then were bowled out for the miserly 72.
Leading the charge with the ball was Brock Nichols who from his 6.5 overs took 4-17 with two maidens, taking the last three wickets to claim the big win.
Cody Eyles like his brother Josh, had a great game taking 3-12 (6) with two maidens in a excellent spell leading his team.
Opener Nathan Eyles took 1-21 (5), but it was man-of-the-match Josh Eyles who couldn’t stay out of the contest with both bat and ball taking 2-20 from 5 overs in what will be a performance that will be remembered for many years to come.
Bothwell I last played in a 50-over grand final when they entered the SCA in 2015/16 and were runners up, so this victory was pretty special and was celebrated well into the night and next day.
FIRST GRADE
NEW Norfolk I are into their third first-grade grand final in a row after they easily defeated St Annes by 116 runs at Cadbury Oval No.1.
Winning the toss, the Crows sent the Redcaps in making 10/266 off 49.3 overs.
After the first wicket went at one, Harry Booth 24 (43), three fours, and Seb Wishart with a fine 61 (79), seven fours, put on a 50-run partnership.
Jordan Banks-Smith made 12 (23), two fours, and captain Jason Rigby made 73 from just 75 deliveries hitting six fours and three sixes.
The pair added a further 41.
Wishart then teamed up with Nathan Rice 28 (39), three fours, one six, the pair putting on a excellent 96-run stand.
Cody Neads at number eight put in a very handy 31 from just 22 with two fours and one six.
Jye Lester made 10 (4) one six.
In the run chase, St Annes were bowled out for 150 from 32.4 overs in a great performance by the Redcaps bowlers.
Thomas Briscoe took 3-47 from 8.4 overs while fellow opener Jye Lester took his wicket total to 44 taking 2-16 (6) with two maidens.
Stewart Rice who replaced Josh Rowlands (soreness) in the side, chipped in with 2-22 (6).
Jason Rigby, after his great innings, claimed 1-11 (4) and Seb Wishart took 1-21 (3).
Harry Booth and keeper Cody Neads effected a run out together.
The Redcaps will now reset for what will be a massive match on Saturday.
Congratulations to Jordan Banks-Smith, Cody Neads and Jason Rigby who all played their 100th club matches for New Norfolk in this match.
SECOND GRADE
IN the grand final at North Warrane Oval on Saturday, Gretna I had a day they would rather forget when they went down to MacKillop by seven wickets.
Winning the toss, the home side sent Gretna in and they never got going and were bowled out for 118 off 41.4 overs.
Opener Corey Ransley top scored with 27 (29), two fours and one six, before he was out by a controversial catch on the boundary.
At six, Richard Graham made 19 (22) with three fours.
Trent Grant made a patient 14 (57) two fours.
Todd Jarvis 11 (27) and Craig Cunningham made 11 also (27), one four.
In reply, MacKillop lost two early wickets being 2-5 inside the first two overs, but from there they powered home finishing 3/121 off just 14.2 overs.
Openers Corey Ransley took 1-56 (7) and Trent Grant 1-35 (5).
Spinner Craig Cunningham claimed 1-26 (2). And congratulations to Craig who played his 300th club match.
Well done to Gretna who can from fourth to make the grand final in what was a great effort.
SEVENTH GRADE
AT Eady St in the grand final between Wellington and Bothwell II, the Warriors had a easy nine-wicket win, taking out their second seventh grade flag in three seasons.
Winning the toss, the home team sent in the Bucks who were bowled out for 127 off 36 overs.
Dylan Branch at number four top-scored with 39 from 56 deliveries, hitting five fours and one six.
Next man in, Ryan Triffitt, made 23 (33) one four.
Openers Brody McCallum made 18 (38) one four and Joey Eyles 13 (34) two fours while Troy Branch made 11 (14) two fours.
In reply, Wellington finished 1/131 from 23 overs.
JOEY BOWS OUT
WITH Joey Eyles announcing his retirement, a lovely gesture was made by the Wellington team when they stood for a guard of honour when he came out to to bat.
Joey began his cricket career with the Ouse Cricket Club in season 1992/93 where he would play 259 matches over 16 seasons until the club folded after the 2007/08 season.
From 2012/13 to 2014/15 Joey played with the Gretna Cricket Club where he played 39 matches.
Then, in 2015/16, Joey and his partner Traci Millhouse started up the Bothwell Cricket Club where he played for the past seven seasons playing 124 matches and was president for every season.
In total, he has a total of 422 matches, played in 15 grand finals for seven premierships and been captain eight times.
SCA MENS Finals Fixture – Week 4 FIRST GRADE
Grand Final – Saturday
Wellington v New Norfolk I at Eady Street Oval No.1. – 10:30am start.
GRAND FINAL SCORES
SECOND GRADE MacKillop – 3/121 off 14.2 overs d. Gretna I – 10/118 off 41.4 overs at North Warrane Oval.
THIRD GRADE Sandford – 10/231 off 45.5 overs d. Weily Park 10/213 off 48.5 overs at Sandford.
FOURTH GRADE Bothwell I – 9/268 off 50 overs d. Old Beach – 10/72 off 22.5 overs at Bothwell.
FIFTH GRADE Knights – 10/203 off 44.2 overs d. MacKillop – 10/98 off 35.4 overs at Collinsvale Oval.
SIXTH GRADE Sunday 27th March – 10:30am start. Derwent v St Annes at North Warrane Oval.
SEVENTH GRADE Wellington – 1/131 off 22.6 overs d. Bothwell II – 10/127 off 36 overs at Eady Street Oval No.1.
EIGHTH GRADE (Sunday 6th March) St Virgil’s 10/174 off 38.1 overs d. Knights 10/155 off 39.1 overs at Collinsvale Oval.