Greta-Branxton United Cricket Club claimed its seventh career first grade title when they overcame minor premiers Valley/JPC by ten runs in a cliff hanging decider at Howe Park last Saturday.
The Coalfields Cup returned to Greta-Branxton for the third time in its six year history, with the Blues reversing the trend of their heartbreaking two-run loss to the same opponents at the same venue three years ago.
Greta-Branxton skipper Joey Butler won the toss and elected to bat, with the visitors overcoming a shaky start to post what was believed to be a par score 8-211 from their forty overs.
Chris Murray (52) led the way with the willow with a patient half century, Nathan Holz was slightly more aggressive in his 42, with Connor Thomson (34), Patrick Andrews (18) and Jace Lawson (13no) all contributing.
Isaac Barry took regular wickets for the home side, finishing with his team’s best figures of 4-42 off eight, with Brandon Carman (2-25 off 8) proving difficult to get away.
The match always remained in the balance in reply, and at the halfway point in the innings the minor premiers required 130 from the final twenty overs of the season with still eight wickets in the sheds.
The Greta-Branxton bowlers kept things tight for the next ten overs, nudging the required run rate up to eight an over. Crucial wickets for the Singleton heavyweights fell when Isaac Barry holed out in the deep for a well-made 54, and when skipper Alex Stafa departed after a dreadful mix up saw him run out for 68, the ascendency tilted in Greta-Branxton’s favour slightly.
Valley/JPC required 24 off the final two overs, and 17 off the final over of the match. Patrick Andrews was the man for the job for the Blues, and as was the case in the 2023-24 decider, he put the match out of Valley/JPC’s reach by picking up consecutive wickets with his fourth and fifth deliveries.
He finished with 2-40 off his eight overs, with Thomson (2-49 off 8) also picking up a brace of wickets. Ross Parker was the other Valley/JPC batsman to make a dent with 22. The tightness of the match between these two great rivals was a fitting end to what has been a great season in the top grade. Greta-Branxton finally got the monkey off their back by defeating Valley/JPC for the first time ever on Singleton soil in the six-year history of the competition.
SECOND GRADE
Bellbird claimed a fourth consecutive second grade title to put the icing on the cake of their minor premiership when they proved too good for Greta-Branxton by 81 runs at Carmichel Park no.1.
The home side compiled a healthy 5-234 batting first. Most batsmen made starts, with Shannon Attewell (59no) proving to be their best. He was well supported by Cameron Martin (51), Joey Millington (47), Stef Durie (47) and Pete Brennan (19).
As has been the case for the majority of the season, Greta-Branxton skipper Jamie Moore was the pick of their attack with 2-29 off six.
The hill proved just that little bit too difficult to climb for the Blues in reply, as they were all out in the 37th over for 153. Moore completed a fine all-round game with 39, with Tony Williams (30), Wayne Chandler (25) and James Halpin (20) all timing the ball nicely.
The Tigers’ seamers were tough to handle, with Scott Miller (3-14 off 6), Daniel Burford (3-31 off 7) and Patrick Cagney (2-21 off 5.2) all bowling tidy spells.
THIRD GRADE
Wine Country came from fourth spot to claim the third grade shield with an emphatic 20-run victory over Bellbird at Carmichael Park no.2.
The Wood Ducks were dismissed in the 38th over for a modest 144 batting first. Jason Gregory was their best at the top of the order with 43, with Adam Elbourne (29) and skipper Dave Crosdale (23no) keeping things ticking over.
Wickets for the Bellbird bowlers were shared between Shaun Burgess (3-27 off 8), Andrew Chalker (2-28 off 8), Ty Cowley (2-51 off 7) and Jack Swift (2-20 off 6.3). Bellbird were dismissed inside 33 overs in reply for 124. Chalker (43) capped a fine all-round game, and along with Jon Schatz (30) were the only batsmen to show any sort of resistance. Full credit goes to the Wine Country bowlers, with openers Darren Sutton (4-15 off 7.1) and Matthew Hollis (3-34 off 7) combining beautifully.
Tallen Howson was the other bowler to make an impression with 2-9 off 4.
FOURTH GRADE
Hotel Cessnock made it a minor/major premiership in fourth grade when they defeated the Piranhas by three wickets at Drain Oval.
Chasing 119 for victory, the home side took their time before reaching the target in the 34th over after losing seven wickets. Jamie Spence and Karl Capararo scored 26-apiece, with skipper Matt Blake making 16. Kaiden Howson (3-26 off 7.1) and Logan Marino (2-22 off 8) were the pick of the Piranhas attack.
Earlier in the day, the Piranhas paid the price for not batting out their overs. They were dismissed in the 35th over for 118, with Dean Campbell (37), Craig Beer (20) and Adam Williams (17) the only batsmen in double figures. Wickets for the Hotel Cessnock bowlers were fairly evenly distributed between Ryan Levin (3-22 off 8), Blake (2-19 off 5), Dan Field (2-25 off 5.1) and Trenten Mascord (2-11 off 4).
The combined CDCA & SDCA junior and senior presentations will be held at Club Singleton on the night of Saturday, May 9. Ticket information will be communicated to all clubs in coming weeks.
-Mark Bercini
