WEEK 2 OF THE SOUTHERN CRICKET ASSOCIATION FINALS: March 14
THE second week of the SCA finals saw our local teams cut in half, with two progressing to the grand final next weekend and two bowing out to conclude their season of cricket. Congratulations to both Molesworth teams for making the grand finals this year and well done to all our other valley and highlands teams for a season year of cricket. Its been a pleasure to follow and report on all teams again this summer.
1st Grade 50-over format:
New Norfolk 10/205 (49.2 overs) lost to Weily Park KLM Kings 10/251 (49.4 overs) at Weily Park, Bridgewater. Bowling first, the Redcaps had four bowlers taking two wickets each, with Jeremy Nichols conceding the least runs for his two wickets. The Kings saw out the entire innings but for two balls, and put on a total of 251 runs. In response, the Redcaps also batted into the 50th over but were unable to keep the run rate up high enough to match the Kings’ score, finishing with 205. Jamie Maddox 46 and Jordan Banks-Smith 45 were the pick of the Redcap batters. With the loss comes the end of the season for the New Norfolk Redcaps. Batting: J. Maddox 46 from 56, J. Banks-Smith 45 from 84. Bowling: J. Nichols 2 for 26 from 6, D. Mitchelmore 2 for 42 from 10.
2nd Grade 50-over format:
Molesworth 8/309 (50 overs) defeated St Anne’s 10/139 (32.1 overs) at the Cadbury ovals on Saturday. Batting first, Molesworth scored more than 300 runs for the second week in a row, finishing with 309 as the target to beat. Openers Mitchell Turner and Josh Ransley put on a massive opening partnership of 165 to set the tone for the innings, with Turner hitting 104 and Ransley 86. Molesworth still had two batters in reserve when the last ball of the innings was bowled. In the run chase, St Anne’s felt the might of the Molesworth bowlers and fielders when they succumbed to their attack, hitting only 139. Dale Fenton picked up three wickets for 40 runs from his full 10 overs to be the pick of the bowlers. Molesworth became our first team to progress to this season’s grand final. The Grand Final will be played at Cloak Oval at Old Beach against Old Beach at 10.30 on Saturday. It would be great to see as many fans getting along to cheer on the Molesworth team in their quest to be premiers this season. Batting: M. Turner 104 from 99, J. Ransley 86 from 81. Bowling: D. Fenton 3 for 40 from 10, J. Wilton 2 for 26 from 7.
5th Grade 40-over format:
Molesworth 8/142 (28 overs) defeated Gretna 10/139 (36.5 overs) for a spot in next weekend’s grand final. Bowling first, Molesworth took all of Gretna’s wickets for 139 runs. Gretna batted first and found scoring runs hard work, finishing all out for 139. Young Cooper Gleeson was a shining light with the bat, scoring his first 50 in senior cricket and walking off the field after hitting a nice 59. Three Molesworth bowlers took three wickets each, they being Tim Boatwright, Nick Ransley and Nick Fenton. In the run chase, Molesworth hung on with just two wickets to spare in taking the win in the 28 overs with Scott Edwards being the pick of the batters with 39 not out. With the ball, Gretna gave Molesworth plenty to think about, taking eight of their wickets to see Molesworth stumble over the line for the win. Ben Rainbird picked up three wickets himself while five other bowlers took a wicket each.
Unfortunately when two local teams face off for the chance to play in the grand final, one team will miss out and this year it was Gretna that missed out. After the solid year and club growth at Gretna, we are sure they will be back and more competitive than ever next season. On Saturday, Molesworth are again against Derwent at North Warrane Oval at 10.30. Hopefully it will be third time lucky for the Molesworth team to this time roll Derwent after two recent clashes went Derwent’s way. Again, we hope to see as many as possible get along to support the Molesworth team get over the line in their quest for this season’s ultimate prize.
Molesworth – Batting: S. Edwards 39no from 67, S. Percey 27 from 47. Bowling: T. Boatwright 3 for 21 from 6.5, N. Ransley 3 for 21 from 8, N. Fenton 3 for 22 from 5.
Gretna – Batting: C. Gleeson 59 from 94, R.Jones 31 from 51.
Bowling: B. Rainbird 3 for 26 from 8, B.Watt 1 for 13 from 3.2 Six bowlers took wickets.
Grand final appearances
- Molesworth 2nd Grade v Old Beach at Cloak Oval (Old Beach), Saturday at 10.30am
- Molesworth 5th Grade v Derwent at North Warrane Oval, Saturday at 10.30am
JUSTIN BENSON
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