Cougars go one better in 22/23

• B Grade, Division 1

AFTER roaring into the big dance with a big win in the semis, Nerrena arrived at Scorpion Park looking to add a premiership to their perfect minor premiership season as they faced last season’s runners up Koonwarra L/RSL. 

The Red Caps won the toss and chose to bat first but the Cougars recent form with the ball shone through once again, after they knocked off a strong Inverloch side in the semi finals. 
Koony had the fancied Nerrena in plenty of trouble early, removing Lachlan Roberts and James Kelly without scoring to have the minor premiers 2/7 early. 

Both players scored half centuries in the semi final, so this start from the Cougars gave them a crucial boost in momentum no doubt and saw them push on to dismiss the dangerous David Baldi (20 from 59). 

This ultimately changed the game completely as things began to all fall in Koony’s favour.

The wicket of Baldi had the Red Caps on the back foot at 3/30 and then a flurry of wickets soon had them 8/54. 

Although, the minor premiers were not going to give in that easy and Damien Symmons (43 from 69) gave it his all trying to wrestle back control of the innings putting together a 65-run stand with Tyson Harris (13* from 71). 

Although Symmons’ brave knock ended prior to the half century mark and soon after, the Red Caps innings was over at 10/122, Matt Cooke’s (4/13 from 10) spell was a crucial one in setting a 123-run target for the premiership. 

In reply, the Cougars lost Cooke (10) early but unlike Nerrena, were able to recover from the early loss and continue on, behind the sensational innings of Michael Thomas (50* from 152). 

The opener batted on brilliantly after losing partners in Cooke, at 1/12, then Josh Thomas (18) at 2/53 and Nigel Grimes (0) at 3/55 to steer the Cougars into an unlosable position alongside his captain James Rushton (33* from 48). 

The pair’s 68-run partnership was enough to guide Koony home for the seven-wicket win despite Mitch Croatto’s (1/10 from 4) efforts with the ball. 

Nerrena’s amazing season comes to an end, just one win short from making it a full sweep. 

The Cougars skipper James Rushton spoke to the Sentinel Times post game. 

“We’ve been building nicely throughout the year especially after Christmas; we’ve really dominated with the ball,” he said.

“Nerrena have been the team of the year, they’ve gone undefeated apart from today and we’ve always had great battles with them throughout the past three years.”

Davies talk of ‘Town’ after epic final’s battle

• B Grade, Division 2

MATT Davies’ scorching 94 not out, despite Leongatha Town needing just 128 to defeat Outtrim Moyarra Kongwak, left no doubt who was man of the match as the Scorpions celebrated a six-wicket win.

Davies earlier performed strongly with the ball, capturing 3/17 from his 10 overs of medium pace.

However, other Leongatha Town bowlers inflicted early damage on OMK before Davies helped dispatch the lower order.

Noah Fixter accounted for the dangerous Scott Handley who had threatened to carry the Diggers to a defendable total, mixing respectful defence with aggressive batting.

Handley (34) ultimately succumbed to an outfield catch, not getting enough on an aggressive shot to the leg side to reach safety.

He was OMK’s top scorer.

Levi Hickey helped set the early positive tone for Leongatha Town, bowling OMK opener Robert Quaife for 11 on the way to 2/23 off his maximum over allotment.

Despite the excellent performance of Town’s medium pace brigade, it was compact young leg spinner Ethan Smith who was the most enthralling to watch.

He had the Diggers transfixed, with Brad Hayes the only one prepared to take it up to the youngster.

While that approach worked briefly, including turning a floating Smith delivery into a full toss and crunching a boundary, Smith soon triumphed, bowling Hayes for 19.

Being a junior prohibited Smith from bowling 10 consecutive overs and he finished with a compelling 2/18 from eight overs.

Lachie Gill took one wicket but played a significant part in the Town attack, conceding a meagre 21 runs from his 10 overs.

OMK’s lower order, along with number seven batsman Luke Jones, showed tenacity to bat out its 50 overs, only being bowled out on the final delivery after it earlier appeared the Diggers may fall well short of achieving that.

Jones’ determined unbeaten 17 off 59 balls helped give the OMK bowlers a glimmer of hope.

With Leongatha Town still having work to do at the fall of its fourth wicket, OMK no doubt clung to the belief it could cause a match-winning collapse, but Davies ensured that wasn’t on the cards.

He bludgeoned 10 boundaries and a six in a near run-a-ball knock, appearing a late chance to make a century.

However, Town sensibly made grand final victory the priority and ran out of runs for Davies to reach what would have been a thoroughly deserved ton.

Justin Greenwood (2/28) was the multiple wicket taker for runner-up OMK.

Handley backed up his solid batting display with disciplined bowling, taking 1/34 off 10 overs, with Owen Fitzpatrick the other wicket taker for the Diggers.

For Leongatha Town keeper Davern Goss, the Scorpions’ commanding grand final victory was the ideal way to celebrate his 200th game.