Upper Great Southern first XI suffer three losses at senior country week to finish sixth in A-section

Upper Great Southern Cricket Association finished A-section senior country week in sixth position after losing their final playoff game on Friday. Two losses in the first two days ended Uppers hopes of reaching the Boan Cup final in Perth but they bounded back with wins against Albany and Districts in round three and then Busselton-Margaret River on Thursday, the latter result helping them avoid the relegation game on Friday. However, a highlight of the tournament was stalwart Perrin Quartermaine reaching 100 games of country week cricket, and he presented with his 100th cap by former Upper Great Southern cricketer and current WACA chairman Terry Waldron on Sunday. In their crossover final on Thursday, Uppers defeated Busselton-Margaret River to avoid playing the relegation game on Friday. Uppers went down by five wickets to Esperance in their Twenty20 fixture on Friday at Murdoch University Sports Ground after a disappointing batting performance. They could only manage 82 from 16.3 overs batting first with Dylan Brooks (28) and Jordan Hughes (10) the only batters to post double figures. Esperance were 4-47 in reply but recovered to reach the victory target for the loss of five wickets in the 12th over. Hughes snared 2-10 and David Head (2-24) also took two wickets but Esperance finished on 5-83 to secure fifth place. Uppers avoided playing in the relegation match after finishing comfortable seven wicket winners over Busselton-Margaret River in their crossover match on Thursday at Rosalie Park. A terrific bowling spell led by Head (4-32), Bailey Parsons (3-10) and Grady Francis (2-27) ensured they restricted their opponents to just 102. Uppers fell to 2-16 in reply but through Perrin and Arron Quartermaine, they got home with ease. The Quartermaines shared in a 76-run stand before Arron was dismissed for 24. Perrin Quartermaine finished unbeaten on 64 off 55, including 11 fours and one six, as Uppers made 3-104 from 19.3 overs in reply. On Wednesday Uppers thrashed Albany and Districts by 112 runs to register their first win, as Head and Dylan Kirk starred. Kirk fell seven runs short of a century but his side made 6-215 batting first. Nick Corner made 40 and Parsons added 25no but it was a superb 93 from Kirk that did the damage. Head (4-20) and Brooks (2-17) then ran through Albany and District top order as they fell to 4-16 and then 9-44. Despite a fighting 10th wicket stand Uppers dismissed their opponents for 93. Uppers captain Rodney Ford said early losses proved costly. “We started the week very slow,” he said. “We played poorly against Bunbury and Districts on day one and then lost a close game against Goldfields that could of gone either way. “We played a high standard of cricket against Albany and Districts and then Busselton-Margaret River to get a couple of good wins. “We finished midfield which was disappointing as thought we could have done better with our side.” Kirk was the second leading run scorer in A-section with 211 runs at an average of 52.75 while Head was Uppers leading wicket taker with 11 scalps. “A few young players got some A-grade cricket experience which will help out in future years,” Ford said. “Dylan Kirk had a great week with the bat and played really well. “Bailey Parsons bowled well all week and bowled some really good spells. “David Head bowled well also and played a great role.”