Semifinals a step too far for both UGS teams

Upper Great Southern Cricket Association finished third in both A-section and C-section at senior country week, which wrapped up in Perth last week. Both teams won three of their five games, but each fell short in Thursday’s semifinals. Upper Great Southern first XI finished their three regular games in second position in their pool before losing their semifinal against Bunbury and Districts on Thursday, ending their hopes of winning the Boan Cup. With a final berth on the line Uppers managed 5-190 batting first. Nick Corner (50) and Arron Quatermaine (47no) led the way but Bunbury and Districts were always in control as John Richardson crunched 70 to have his side at 3-156. A big moment in the game was still to come as Uppers took 5-9 but Bunbury and Districts held their nerve and finished 8-194 to book their place in the decider against Eastern Goldfields. Rodney Ford claimed 4-29 and Lewis Parsons chipped in with two scalps. In Friday’s T20 match Uppers faced Geraldton for third spot, posting a strong total of 8-169 thanks to 62 from Perrin Quatermaine. After Geraldton started well, Uppers fought back strongly to dismiss them for 134 and claim third overall. Uppers reached the semifinals after a convincing 89-run win over West Pilbara on Wednesday. They made 6-258 first on the back of a big century from Arron Quatermaine. He finished with 129, hitting 14 fours and two sixes. West Pilbara were in early trouble at 5-44 and never recovered to be bowled out for 167 as Grady Francis and Lewis Parsons each snared three wickets. Arron Quartermaine was third in the A-section runs, his 249 runs coming at an average of 83. Rodney Ford and Bailey Parsons were both in the top five for wickets taken, as the pair finished with 10 each. Uppers second XI also missed the final after losing Thursday’s semifinal to Peel. Three straight wins had them in a semifinal against Peel and despite a brilliant 90 from Liam Want, they went down by five wickets. Uppers made 178 batting first after losing their last five wickets for four runs. Peel were 5-108 in reply but a 72-run stand guided them home, finishing on 5-180 in the 38th over. Uppers went on to finish third after beating Busselton-Margaret River in Friday’s T20 game. Bill Schorer was the star as he snared 7-13, including a hat-trick, to help his side defend 148. A century from opener Byron Blevin against Wyalkatchem helped Uppers finish top of their pool on Wednesday as they made 5-316. Blevin made 112 from 109 balls before the bowlers ran through Wyalkatchem to dismiss them for 47. Four Upper Great Southern players featured in the top six for runs scored in C-section. Want was the second-highest run scorer in B-section with 201, while David Head was the stand-out with the ball, taking eight wickets in five games.