Upper Great Southern Cricket Association’s second XI win third and fourth playoff at senior country week

Upper Great Southern Cricket Association’s second XI finished third in B-section at senior country week in Perth after winning their playoff fixture on Friday. A disappointing loss to Albany and Districts on Thursday in the semifinal ended their title hopes but they bounced back to win the third and fourth playoff. Uppers responded in the best fashion on Friday in their Twenty20 fixture at Charles Veryard Reserve, winning by three runs over Peel in a thrilling finish. Openers Carl Garrick (55 runs) and Bill Schorer (18) got the team off to a solid start with a 76-run partnership before middle order contributions from Ben McMillian (18) and Lewis Parsons (10no) got their side to 6-138. Peel fell to 3-10 early in their innings but through Hilton Hardman (53) got back into the contest and required nine from the final over. Henry Blechynden was thrown the ball and held his nerve as Peel finished on 9-135. Uppers duo Matt Tilbee (3-13) and Joe Dowling (2-25) were impressive with the ball. A disappointing batting performance was the catalyst for Uppers 78-run semifinal loss to Albany and Districts at Charles Veryard Reserve on Thursday. Uppers had the chance to progress to the decider and needed 164 for victory but were bowled out for just 85. Albany and Districts were bowled out for 163 batting first with McMillian starring with the ball to return 4-9 from five overs while Rohan Bilney (2-41) and Parsons (2-64) also took multiple wickets. Uppers lost regular wickets and were bowled out in the 35th over despite the efforts of Bilney (33) and Jack Blechynden (20). Uppers suffered their first loss in their final qualifying game on Wednesday to eventual champions Bunbury and Districts, by 88 runs at Sutherlands Park. Bunbury and Distircts made 187 batting first despite the efforts of McMillian (4-46) and Brock Pockran (3-32). Another disappointing performance with the bat let them down as they were dismissed for just 99 despite Jack Blechynden (34), Bilney (26no) and Dowling (20) getting starts. Uppers won their opening two games on Sunday and Monday. Jacob Schorer, who made a day one century, was Uppers highest run scorer with 181 at an average of 60.33 while McMillan was their leading wicket taker with 13 scalps.