Bullants, Warriors secure one-day final spots

The Bullants and the West Wimmera Warriors will play the Horsham Cricket Association A-grade one-day final on Sunday, March 1, after both teams claimed hard-fought victories in round 10 on Saturday January 24.

By Mackenzie Book

Lubeck-Murtoa's Jarvis Mitchell took an impressive 5-12 from eight overs in the Murdlarks victory against St Mary's.

At Central Park in Stawell, clutch late-innings batting from Anthony Cutter helped the Bullants win in the final over of their match against Swifts-Great Western.

The Bullants elected to bowl against the Combine side, who reached 183 before being bowled out in the 39th over.

Skipper Aiden Graveson led SGW with 61 while Zachary Marrow had 42.

For the Bullants, Justtin Combe finished with 5/27 and Matthew Combe had 2/36.

Jason Harris then got the Bullants off to a quick start with 39 but consistent wickets saw the visitors fall to 7/113 in the 25th over.

Tim Crick (28) and Jordan McDonald (24) kept the Bullants in the game before McDonald was dismissed, leaving them at 9/163 and requiring 21 runs off 20 balls.

Crucial boundaries from Anthony Cutter (17 not out) helped to see the Bullants over the line with three balls to spare, with the victory guaranteeing them a spot in the one-day final.

The Warriors had already secured their one-day final spot but went up against league leaders Laharum for the first time at Cameron Oval.

The Demons elected to bat first and, despite some early resistance from Chaminda Gamage (21), the home side found themselves at 5/67 in the 16th over.

Mid-innings contributions from Jackson Hoffman (30), Harrison Hoffman (24) and Josh Mahoney (23) lifted Laharum to 162 before they were bowled out in the 38th over.

Nathan Alexander (2/10), Brad Alexander (2/35) and Joshua Lees (2/39) each had two wickets for the Warriors.

Top-order batsmen Brodie Cramer, Mitchell Dahlenburg and Brad Alexander helped the Warriors into a strong position in their run chase before skipper Nathan Alexander (37 not out) ensured the Warriors reached the target as they finished with 3/163 with 16 balls remaining.

Joel Pymer (2/39) and Jason Kannar (1/25) were the wicket takers for Laharum.

At Brim Recreation Reserve, Donald Jeffcott elected to bowl against Brim KSH, who were restricted to just 89 before being bowled out.

Lachlan McGinniss top scored for the Eagles with 22, with contributions from Chris McPherson (17) and Isaac McPherson (16).

In a team-wide bowling performance, Will Noble produced 3/11 for Donald Jeffcott while Cooper Anderson (2/9) and Jake Needs (2/16) had two wickets apiece.

After a strong start from Cooper Anderson (26) in Donald Jeffcott’s run chase, Brim KSH had the visitors in brief trouble at 3/47 before Koby Westerland (28 not out) and Sam Postlethwaite (18) helped guide the team to 4/92 to a six-wicket win.

Lachlan McGinniss finished with a tidy 2/21 while Isaac McPherson had 1/20.

Donald Jeffcott captain Eddie Landwehr said he was happy with the performance but added that better performances with the bat would be required in their push for finals.

“Yeah, really good performance, especially bowling-wise,” Landwehr said.

“I feel like that's our standard: we’re good in the field, we've got a decent bowling lineup, it's just our batting that we're probably lacking a little bit with fellas getting in, making a start and then just not continuing on with it.

“If we're going to do well in finals, that's what we're going to have to pick up on.”

At Horsham City Oval, the Tigers edged to a close win over the Colts in a high-scoring contest.

The Colts won the toss and elected to bowl, the Tigers reaching 4/201 from their 40 overs.

Tyler Puls top scored with 61, Jake Durdin hit 54 not out and youngster Callum Jackson hit 33 opening the batting.

Jake McLean (1/27) and Jay Couch (1/30) were the most economical of the Colts’ wicket takers.

In response, Adam Atwood (45), Josh Colbert (41) and Joey Nagorcka (41) kept the Colts in the run chase, but pivotal wickets left the lower order with too much to do late in the innings as the side finished at 8/194.

Durdin led the Tigers with 2/24 while David Puls finished with 2/38.

Tigers captain Tyler Puls said he was pleased with the side’s complete performance.

“I think we started really well," Puls said.

"We had a good opening partnership and then we were able to bat through our overs, which doesn't happen very often.

“I think we bowled pretty well; we took all of our chances, except for one pretty tough one.”

At Anzac Park in Warracknabeal, Lubeck Murtoa won the toss and elected to bowl against St Mary’s, who got off to a good start through openers Daniel Westerland (46) and Nathan Priest (19).

Sean Smith added 21 but a middle- and late-order collapse, sparked by a crucial Jarvis Mitchell, saw the home side bowled out for 125.

Mitchell finished with 5/12 while Blake Turner (2/18) and Cameron Newell (2/21) each had two wickets.

In response, the Mudlarks quickly took control in their run chase thanks to a knock of 57 from Shannon Reddie before Joshua Hedt (26 not out) and Cameron Newell (17 not out) helped the side finish at 5/127, reaching the target with 12 overs to spare.

Colby Schmidt starred with the ball for St Mary’s as he finished with 2/24.