A BIG week saw some great results for the three teams competing for South Midlands Cricket Association at this year’s country week championships.
With teams competing in B, C and E grades, all teams produced great results for such a small association.
The E-grade team under the captaincy of Tony White performed strongly throughout the week, winning four of their five games – a result that saw them narrowly miss out on a chance to play in the grand final.
There were good performances from most members of the team with major contributors being Tony White, Dave Glover, Sam Durey and Simon Willmott.
The C-grade team also competed well, winning three of their five games and performing strongly.
Solid performances during the week came from Steve Balcombe, Josh Dale, Tim Collins, Owen Langley and Brandon Ghirardi.
However, the standout performers of the week were the B-grade team under the captaincy of Clayton Smith.
Having dropped down from A-grade to B-grade this year, the team was under pressure to perform.
With strong teams in their pool the team would need to do well if they wanted to make a final.
Results:
Game 1
SMCA 7/151 (Cameron Yates 35, Sheldon Baker 32, Clayton Smith 25) defeated Mt Barker 94 (Greg Dixon 3/18, Peter Gaspar 3/10, Brenton Kay 2/12).
Game 2
SMCA 181 (Cameron Yates 64, Jake Edwards 38, Jamie Forbes 31) defeated Fortescue 175 (Brenton Kay 4/31, Jamie Forbes 3/61, Cameron Yates 2/25).
Game 3
SMCA 6/334 (Greg Dixon 142, Clayton Smith 126, Rory Bennett 22) defeated Peel 177 (Peter Gaspar 3/50, Greg Dixon 2/20, Toby Moore 2/13).
Game 4
Donnybrook-Blackwood 9/335 (Jamie Forbes 3/49, Greg Dixon 2/45, Peter Gaspar 2/63) defeated SMCA 8/330 (Clayton Smith 137, Jake Edwards 65, Jamie Forbes 45).
Game 5
SMCA 8/209 (Robbie Gray 63, Clayton Smith 42, Toby Moore 40) defeated North Midlands 8/185 (Keiran Sullivan 2/21, Luke George 2/21, Jamie Forbes 1/16).
Going into game five, the SMCA team came up against the unbeaten North Midlands.
Local derby bragging rights and a spot in the grand final were at stake.
With an inch of rain early in the morning, the game was delayed to a 1.30pm start and overs reduced to 42 overs a side.
Batting first, North Midlands were in trouble early at 3/30 in the ninth over.
However, with sensible batting from Kim Spencer (81) in the middle order and Callen Mitchell (30) towards the end, they managed to compile a competitive 185.
Chasing, South Midlands found themselves in the same position at 3/30 after nine overs. With a finals berth on the line, Clayton Smith (42), Robbie Gray (63) and Toby Moore (40) steadied the middle order and allowed the SMCA team to get the win and make their way into the grand final.
Grand final
The grand final was played at Stan Twight Reserve in Rockingham against Eastern Districts.
Winning the toss and batting first in what seemed a slightly damp pitch, Eastern Districts looked to try and set a total.
However, SMCA stuck early and soon had the Eastern boys in trouble at 6/51 in the 20th over.
From there, the pitch started to flatten out and play well.
With batsman starting to get themselves set on the wicket, runs finally started to flow. Although SMCA picked up wickets at regular intervals, Eastern Districts managed to compile 211 with Garrick Yandle making a well deserved 142 with little support from other players.
In reply Souths started well and were soon 55 in the 11th over before Rory Bennet (18) fell with the score on 57.
Cameron Yates (36) and Jake Edwards (50) took the score to 92 before Yates was out.
With Edwards making a quickfire 50, he too then fell just after the break and when Jamie Forbes was also out for 18 the score was starting to get tight at 4/136 in the 29th over.
With plenty of remaining, cool heads and sensible batting was required.
Although the wickets continued to tumble, team captain Clayton Smith steadied the team with his 42 not out and guided them home to a well fought win.
Best for the SMCA with the bat were Edwards (50), Clayton Smith (42 not out) and Yates (36).
With the ball, Greg Dixon bowled a marathon 19 overs and took 4/75, Jamie Forbes took 2/48 off 14 overs and Brenton Kay 1/26 from 11 overs.
It was a stunning result for the team who worked so hard all week.
A highlight of the team was the all-round performances from all players throughout the week.
Big thanks to Jason Bulpitt who managed the team for the week.
In a return to local matches this week:
Gingin Reds 9/251 (S Balcombe 105 not out, J Christensen 38, T Collins 4/52, D Hurst 2/42) defeated Dandaragan Bears 183 (M Helms 84, D Hurst 21, T Stevens 4/53, J Edwards 2/17).
Lower Chittering Warriors 9/252 (G Dixon 66, S Durey 42, R Crosby 3/22, and M Teti 2/23) defeated Muchea Tiger Snakes 82 (M Teti 20, B Ghirardi 14, G Dixon 3/7, S Baker 3/20).
Next week’s games
Moora Knights v Lower Chittering Warriors
Although the Knights have been performing well this season, I would expect the Warriors to get the win.
Muchea Tiger Snakes v Gingin Reds
The Tiger Snakes have fallen well off the mark this season and the Reds will win comfortably.
Dandaragan Bears v Bindoon Bushrangers
The Bears have been competitive but the Bushrangers should win easily.
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