GRAND FINAL DESPAIR

Albany bowlers too tight for ‘Uppers’ in final

Upper Great Southern Cricket Association couldn’t pull off a historic win at the WACA ground last Friday, going down to Albany by five-wickets.

UGSCA elected to bat first in the final of Country Week’s A-section 60 over competition.

Albany’s bowlers were tight, restricting UGSCA’s run rate, and snaring the wicket of Kukerin-Dumbleyung’s Kalan Joyce (8) early.

The association’s skipper, Towns’ Perrin Quartermaine and Pingelly-Noonebin’s Tom Blechynden posted the biggest partnership (55) for the innings.

Quartermaine’s (40) dismissal led to a middle order collapse where UGSCA lost three wickets for 28 runs.

Wandering’s Ben Sherry made an impressive 29 off 34 balls, holding his wicket long enough to help Blechynden reach his eventual century to great applause in the WACA’s grandstand.

Sherry’s wicket exposed UGSCA’s tail to Albany who made quick work of the lower order once Blechynden (100) was dismissed.

UGSCA were dismissed for 208 with two balls to spare.

Albany’s Patrick Butler was damaging, the leg spin bowler claimed three wickets, but more importantly punished UGSCA’s run rate early in his spell, conceding 64 runs from 23 overs.

At the crease Albany always looked in control. The first wicket of Nathan Crosby (11) from Cuballing’s Grady Francis’ delivery offered some hope as Albany sat on 1-41.

However opener Coen Marwick (61), first drop Michael Ferreira (62) and Zane Marwick (52no) guided Albany to 5-210 in the 46th over.

Francis took 2-55 off 16, Brock Francis 1-64 and Arron Quartermaine 1-46.

UGSCA were undefeated until the final match of country week.

In the semi final UGSCA made easy work off Eastern Goldfields, compiling 200 with Arron Quartermaine (72) and Kendall Ballard (52) posting solid figures.

Eastern Goldfields were bowled out for 75, with Grady Francis claiming 3-15 and brother Brock recording 2-15. Uppers avoided a scare in round 3 against Geraldton with a three-wicket win.

Grady Francis claimed 4-38, Arron Quartermaine 3-24 and Brock Francis 3-27, bowling Geraldton out for 90 as they chased 118. Perrin Quartermaine was the highest run scorer in that match with 28.

Team’s heartbreak in title decider

Upper Great Southern Cricket Association fell agonisingly short of a win in country week’s C-section on Friday, falling by 36 runs to Esperance Cricket Association.

Esperance elected to bat first, and looked in trouble early, with UGSCA restricting them to 4-40 early in the match.

Michael McArthur (65) and Daniel Styles (54) posted 94-run fifth wicket partnership for Esperance to put them back in contention for a strong total.

Esperance went on to post 191 runs and were bowled out after 46 overs.

Pingelly-Noonebin’s✓ Cameron Hill took 4-24 off eight overs including McArthur’s wicket, while Wandering’s Lewis Parsons and Cuballing’s Andrew Harris claimed two wickets each.

Wandering’s Jacob Schorer✓ (33), Parsons (31) and Towns’ Peter Kirby (46) did well with the bat, while Cuballing’s Blair Forrest saw out the innings unbeaten on 14.

It wasn’t enough however as UGSCA were bowled out for 155 in the 46th over, handing Esperance the C-section title.

Esperance were the only team to best UGSCA’s second XI, winning the final and the opening match of the competiton. In the semifinal UGSCA posted 7-175 against Busselton-Margaret River CA2. Cuballing’s Joe Dowling✓ (58 not out) and Rhett✓ Ballard (34) were the highest scorers. Parsons took three wickets in that match as Busselton-Margaret River were bowled out for 127.

In round three last Wednesday UGSCA posted 8-208 against Wyalkatchem Cricket Association. Ballard (40) and Schorer (72) were again the best at the crease. Wyalkatchem were dismissed for 156.