UGSCA 2023-24: Nottle knocks a ton as Williams beat Cuballing in grand final replay, Wandering down Lake Grace

Williams have exacted revenge in the grand final replay, beating Cuballing in round three of the 2023-24 Upper Great Southern Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday. A superb century from opener Garth Nottle set up the 99-run triumph and teammates Steven Ford and Riley Ford completed the job with the ball to hand Williams their second win of the season. It comes after Cuballing claimed last season’s grand final as underdogs against Williams. Nottle belted 117 not out despite wickets falling around him, as Williams recovered from 5-77 to set Cuballing 215 to win at Williams. A 130-run stand between Nottle and Riley Ford was the difference, helping the home side reach 7-214 from their 45 overs. Nottle hit four sixes and six fours in his unbeaten ton while Riley Ford contributed a vital 46 before he was eventually dismissed by Grady Francis. Robert Rose opened with Nottle but the partnership would end quickly when Rose (9) was dismissed by Joe Dowling. Michael Cowcher was next to go, Grady Francis trapping the youngster lbw for a duck. While Nottle stood firm Williams’ top order crumbled as Rodney Ford was caught on four and then Michael Forman was bowled by Grady Francis for a duck. Toby Lavender (12) gave Nottle some support but it was dangerous all-rounder Riley Ford who would partner with Nottle to produce Williams’ best partnership with the bat. Grady Francis finished with 4-24 from his 10 overs to be the pick of the bowlers for the visitors. Bevan George and Johannes De bruyn began the chase for Cuballing and George quickly went to work after his partner was out to an agile catch from keeper Kim Rintoul. The bails of boundary seeker Dowling (2) were then sent flying by Steven Ford and Cuballing captain Grady Francis was removed for a duck soon after as they fell to 3-23. After Rintoul caught Forrest for five, Riley Ford hit his stride as he snared Tyron Miller (8) and Michael Moore (0) before sending Samuel Grieve (0) packing after another catch from Rintoul. George notched a half century but he lacked any real support as only Roger Ballard (10) reached double figures. A brilliant spell from Steven Ford that yielded 4-42 guided Williams to victory and Riley Ford was also instrumental with 3-7 from seven overs. Wandering were also winners in the other A-grade fixture, downing Lake Grace by four wickets in Lake Grace. The home side won the toss and batted first, as Brayden Reynolds and Jack Carruthers set about posting a strong total. Reynolds was trapped in front on 40 and Carruthers departed in the same fashion on 23 and from there, Lake Grace struggled to form many partnerships. Ben McMillan snared 4-23 from 8.3 overs and was well supported by Jordan Hughes (2-18) as Wandering restricted Lake Grace to 121 all out. Jacob Schorer fell early but Ben Sherry was the anchor of the successful run chase with a quickfire half century. Sherry belted 71 from 65 balls to go with strong contributions from Blake Egerton-Warburton (18), Blake White (13) and Troy Egerton-Warburton (16 not out) as Wandering won six wickets down. It came with some nervous moments however as Karl Fleay ripped through Wandering’s middle order, snaring 4-31.