Mulbring are the inaugural East Cessnock Bowling Club inter club T20 Tier One champions after a thrilling three-wicket victory over Greta/Branxton in the final at Carmichael Park on Saturday.
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With no semi-finals the top two teams from the preliminary rounds progressed straight through to the final.
Greta/Branxton skipper Barry Richards won the toss and elected to bat, and at 8-60 in the 13th over the previously undefeated minor premiers looked like they were going to be bowled out for a low total.
But as was the case in their final round game the tail wagged considerably, and the Blues scrambled to a modest 9-129 from their 20 overs.
Nathan Holz led the way with an unbeaten 31, Barry Richards clubbed 23, with Dave Condran (22no), Brent Watson (16) and Joey Butler (13) all contributing.
Cameron Ross was the best of the Mulbring attack with 3-30 off 4. Scott Robertson was next best with a very economical 2-9 off 4.
The match looked very evenly poised at the halfway point of the run chase with the Marlins at 3-65, and down to the final over they required three runs for victory with four wickets in hand.
Sam Apthorpe was run out from mid-on with the first ball of the over, the next ball was a dot, but with all the field up inside the circle, the cool head of the experienced Robertson saw him club the next ball past mid on for a boundary to hand Mulbring victory.
Ross completed a fine all-round game with 34, with skipper Drew Olsen (22), Jason Varoxis (19), Josh Lewis (17) and Chad Lewis (13) doing enough to get the Marlins home.
Holz was easily the best of the Blues’ attack, capping a great all-round game with 4-23 off 4.
Blues win Tier 2
Greta/Branxton won the Tier 2 final with a convincing 39-run victory over Bellbird on Carmichael number two.
Greta/Branxton batted first and posted a healthy 6-192, with Brett Bridge smashing nine boundaries and nine maximums in a superb innings of 116.
Connor Thomson (33) and Cory Stephenson (25) supported well, meanwhile Ethan Rushford (2-13 off 4) and Mark Scott (2-25 off 3) picked up a brace of wickets each for Bellbird.
The Tigers looked on target in reply, with openers Shaun Anderson (54) and Matt Shrieber (53) both making fine half centuries. Their departures proved vital, with regular loss of wickets after making the target too difficult to reel in.
They completed their 20 overs on 7-153. Jordan Field was next best with 15, while for the Blues Aaron Stephenson kept a lid on things with 3-11 off 3.
Tier 1
Round 7
Greta/Branxton 9/141 off 20 (Jake Goodyer 54no, Josh Dagg 39no, Ben Read 5-13 off 4, Cal Barry 2-20 off 4) defeated Peden’s Hotel 10/95 off 17.1 (Tom Lantry 23, Dale Johnston 22, Heath Walker 14, Barry Richards 4-27 off 4, Andrew Bercini 2-16 off 4).
Mulbring 2/118 off 17.2 (Drew Olsen 62, Chad Lewis 36 retired, Luke Jeans 1-11 off 2, Dave Farrell 1-17 off 3) defeated Wine Country 6/115 off 20 (Matt Lightfoot 41no, Stephen Hedger 21, Mark O’Hara 15, Scott Robertson 3-16 off 4, Cameron Ross 2-10 off 4).
Supporters defeated Chelmsford Hotel by forfeit.
Bellbird bye.
Tier 2
Round 7
Bellbird defeated Wine Country (details unavailable at time of writing).
Supporters defeated Mulbring by forfeit.
Greta/Branxton defeated Denman Hotel by forfeit.
Peden’s Hotel bye.
Final Standings
Tier 1
W L B P NRR
- Greta/Branxton 6 - 1 12 2.49
- Mulbring 5 1 1 10 1.50
- Supporters 4 2 1 8 1.57
- Peden’s Hotel 3 3 1 6 -0.45
- Bellbird 2 4 1 4 -0.81
- Wine Country 1 5 1 2 -2.72
- Chelmsford Hotel - 6 1 0 -4.05
Tier 2
W L B P NRR
- Greta/Branxton 5 1 1 10 1.57
- Bellbird 5 1 1 10 0.74
- Peden’s Hotel 4 2 1 8 0.46
- Supporters 3 3 1 6 -0.12
- Denman Hotel 2 4 1 4 0.23
- Mulbring 2 4 1 4 -0.65
- Wine Country - 6 1 0 -2.45
Tournament Individual Trophy Winners
Tier 1
Leading Run Scorer – Josh Dagg (Greta/Branxton) 148 runs
Leading Wicket Taker – Barry Richards (Greta/Branxton) 16 wickets
Tier 2
Leading Run Scorer – Sam Dagg (Greta/Branxton) 152 runs
Leading Wicket Taker – Wayne Harris (Wine Country) 17 wickets
