On Saturday the Grenfell B grade ventured to Cowra to play the undefeated Minor Premiers Wyangala at Holman Oval in the Grand Final.

Grenfell won the toss and chose to bat. Wyangala got off to a good start picking up Shaun Logan in the second over for 1.

This brought Phil McSpadden to the crease to join Ringo in what could be described as a whirlwind innings from Ringo, hitting the ball to all parts of the ground.

His innings of 67 runs included 7 sixes & 3 fours. It was very unusual to see so many fielders on the boundary so early on in an innings let alone a grand final. Ringo was dismissed in the 10th over, Grenfell were 2/78. With drinks taken in the 16th over Grenfell were 2/100 with Phil & Ash Whitechurch in control. As often happens with a break in play, concentration was lost and 2 quick wickets fell in the first over after drinks, that of Ash & Josh Knight.

Tozer came out to join Phil this partnership didn’t last very long, with the next over Phil got out for a well compiled 25. The following over Tozer was caught for 5, in the space of 4 overs Grenfell went from being in control at 2/100 to in trouble at 6/112. Hamish Starr & Craig Smith set about consolidating with a good 20 run partnership before Hamish being bowled for 15. Murph had a short time at the crease being bowled for 1 in the next over bringing the Veteran Marty Starr to the crease to join the Captain at 8/133 in the 26th over. After a bit of confusion Smuffy turned an easy 2 into a 1 ½ and was found short. Bringing the last batter Alec to the crease. Marty & Alec put on a 20 run partnership for the last wicket with Alec remaining not out on 0. Grenfell’s final score all out for 160, is a great improvement on their past 2 efforts against Wyangala of 46 & 48.

Buoyed by their efforts with the bat Grenfell’s fielding was outstanding and supported the bowlers who were bowling great line & length. This pressure paid off in the 6th over with B grade player of the year Ben Colby being caught short by a great piece of fielding by Tozer with a very sly run out. 

The very next over his opening partner was also run out by a great combined fielding effort a cool head. The third wicket fell in the 10th over with score on 3/25 and Wyangala were sinking. It was a great opening bowling partnership by Ash Whitechurch & Hamish Starr who after 5 overs each had the figures of 0/6 and 1/7. Luke Murphy was brought into the attack with immediate success getting wickets in consecutive overs. 

Matt Tozer was keeping it tight at the other end and was rewarded with a wicket courtesy of a great catch from Phil McSpadden, with this wicket the Umpires called drinks in the 18th over and Wyangala reeling at 6/46. In the over after drinks Luke Murphy claimed his 3rd wicket and Wyangala were starting to cough. Nathan Reed was batting extremely well and while ever he was at the wicket Wyangala had a glimmer of hope. In an effort to claim the remaining wickets Captain Smuffy turned to the fastest bowler in B Grade, and he didn’t disappoint. Hamish took the prized wicket of Reed for a well compiled 35 and the cough was getting worse. In his next over Hamish got his 3rd wicket which to everyone’s surprise was the final wicket & the choke was complete, as one of Wyangala’s batsmen spat the dummy and went home. At the conclusion of the game players were presented with Premiers medallions and Steven Walker was named Player of the Grand Final.

Congratulations to B Grade players & supporters on a very good result.

“ONE TEAM ONE DREAM”.

Looking forward to catching up and celebrating again at our Presentation on Saturday 11th April 10.30am followed by bowls.

Grenfell Innings

S Logan Bowled Howarth 1

S Walker ct Kerr b N Reed 67

P McSpadden bowled Brooks 25

A Whitechurch ct Holgate b Howarth 11

J Knight bowled Howarth 0

M Tozer ct A Colby b Brooks 5

H Starr Bowled N Reed 15

C Smith run out 4

L Murphy Bowled Holgate 1

M Starr ct Kerr b Holgate 23

A Walsh not out 0

Sundries 7

Total 160

M Reed 0/13, C Howarth 3/37, B Colby 0/31, N Reed 1/33, C Brooks 2/22, B Holgate 2/17

Wyangala Innings

B Colby run out- Tozer 2

C Brooks run out - M Starr 4

A Colby bowled Murphy 2

L Tarrant ct Walsh b H Starr 1

L Morrison Bowled Murphy 3

C Howarth ct McSpadden b Tozer 8

N Reed ct Walker b H Starr 35

B Holgate bowled Murphy1

Z Kerr ct Smith b H Starr 9

C Gallop not out 8

Sundries 20

Total 93

A Whitechurch 0/6, H Starr 3/10, L Murphy 3/35, M Tozer 1/11, A Walsh 0/17.