One more to go for successful Valley/JPC side
BY ALEX TIGANI
This year’s T20 title meant so much more than bragging rights for the winning Valley/JPC line-up.
For those fortunate enough to witness the post-match ceremony, it marked a new chapter in Singleton cricket with the return of grand final atmosphere at Howe Park.
Valley/JPC (10/111) held off Cessnock DCA outfit Greta Branxton (10/82) with an over to spare thanks to the impressive bowling of teenager Hayden Moorcroft, who finished 4/7 with two maiden overs, and Tristan Muir 3/20.
However, this premiership could not be summed up by a scorecard.
It was the first premiership for the powerhouse side which saw the two clubs merge at first grade level ahead of the 2022/23 Coalfields Cup competition.
It was also the first time a Singleton side had defeated a Cessnock club to win a title since the introduction of the Coalfields Cup in 2020.
It was the first time Singleton had held a first grade T20 final since February 2020 and the first time it was held at Howe Park since February 2019.
Night-time cricket was also introduced to our region in the past month as clubs Creeks, PCH, Glendon, Piranhas and Wine Country all embraced the pink ball in the lead up to the finals.
Then there were the stories within the winning line-up.
Valley all rounder Isaac Barry had won first grade premierships in both formats prior to Saturday’s final. Now he can add the title of premiership captain to his impressive CV.
It also marked another title for Valley’s modern day favourites including Daniel Hayes, Liam Storey and Tristan Muir.
Many of them had conquered the lower grades but fallen short to PCH and Bellbird in the top tier in recent years.
There were also plenty of smiles amongst the JPC fans.
Kye Dann, who inspired his side to victory with 40 runs against Wine Country in Round 2, celebrated a first-grade title one night after watching his father Gregg captain JPC Gold to an SDCA second grade T20 premiership at the same ground.
Brandon Carman watched on as his PCH first grade teammates celebrated back-to-back titles in 2021. Two years later he now has a first-grade premiership of his own.
Luke Dempster had also celebrated a number of premierships in the lower grades. Now the emerging talent has added a first-grade crown to his name.
Shane Givney brought back his 2019 SDCA first grade player of the year form when scoring 43 not out against Creeks in Saturday’s semi-final. He finished the night with his second T20 premiership in the top tier in four years.
Coalfields Cup organiser Mark Bercini also made one last thank you before presenting the side with their trophy.
“I want to thank the mayor of Singleton, Daniel Storey,” Bercini playfully declared.
“I asked when are the lights coming on and he clicked a button on his phone and the lights came on, that is the importance he has here.”
Storey, who has played 300+ games for Valley, was all smiles throughout the celebrations.
“It was a great teammate effort and it is what we are all about,” Barry concluded.
“We now have one more to go.”
2022/23 Coalfields Cup T20 competition
Top 10 batting performances
67* runs – Peter Brennan (Bellbird)
vs. Valley on January 28, 2023
60 runs – Clinton Harman (Creeks)
vs. Piranhas on January 20, 2023
60 runs – Fletcher Sharpe (Piranhas)
vs. Greta Branxton on January 14, 2023
57* runs – Joseph Barber (Bellbird)
vs. Wine Country on January 14, 2023
46 runs – Nathan Hudson (Creeks)
vs. Piranhas on January 20, 2023
45 runs – Matthew Hopley (Piranhas)
vs. PCH on January 20, 2023
44 runs – Darren Thomson (Greta Branxton)
vs. Creeks on January 28, 2023
43* runs – Shane Givney (Valley/JPC)
vs. Creeks on February 4, 2023
43 runs – Myles Cook (Creeks)
vs. Piranhas on January 20, 2023
43 runs – Daniel Storey (Valley/JPC)
vs. Wine Country on January 21, 2023
43 runs – Mark Bercini (Greta Branxton)
vs. Bellbird on February 4, 2023
Top 10 bowling performances
6/9 – Cael Smith (Glendon)
vs. Wine Country on January 27, 2023
4/7 – Hayden Moorcroft (JPC/Valley)
vs. Greta Branxton on February 4, 2023
4/7 – Brent Watson (Greta Branxton)
vs. PCH on January 21, 2023
4/10 – Tristan Muir (JPC/Valley)
vs. Creeks on February 4, 2023
4/20 – Nathan Stapleford (Creeks)
vs. PCH on January 13, 2023
3/14 – Patrick Cagney (Bellbird)
vs. Wine Country on January 14, 2023
3/14 – Joseph Main (Bellbird)
vs. Wine Country on January 14, 2023
3/16 – Zac Kronholm (Bellbird)
vs. JPC/Valley on January 23, 2023
3/16 – Mark Bercini (Greta Branxton)
vs. Piranhas on January 14, 2023
3/17 – Casey Mitchell (Greta Branxton)
vs. JPC/Valley on February 4, 2023