Teams decided for Cessnock District Cricket Association 2017/18 grand finals

Defending first grade premiers Mulbring proved what a champion side they are by disposing of razor king rivals Bellbird by 21 runs at Mulbring oval.

The home side batted first, and at 2-90 in the 19th over they looked poised for a healthy total. However as was the case the week before against Bellbird, the Marlins’ middle and lower order once again crumbled, and they were eventually all out in the final over for 141.

Drew Olsen once again led the way at the top of the order with 48, with Josh Lewis (29), Chad Lewis (19) and Mick Mascord (17) making starts.

Ben Troke was the pick of the Bellbird attack with 4-34 off 10, with Nic Siers (3-16 off 6.4) and Billy Orr (2-31 off 10) both bowling economically.

The Tigers looked set for their second consecutive upset over the Marlins in as many weeks when they were 6-107 in the 31st over.

Elliot Gyler (20no) held the key to them snatching a grand final berth, but he was rapidly running out of partners, with the visitors eventually all out in the 34th over for 120.

Fairlie brothers Ben (29) and Matt (24) were productive at the top of the order, with Siers (12) the only other batsman to reach double figures in a match that the Tigers will look back on what could have been.

Mulbring’s wickets were shared between Ben Neaves (3-29 off 8), Darren Sutton (3-23 off 7) and Sam Apthorpe (2-27 off 7.4)

Supporters booked their place in the premiership decider and inflicted Greta/Branxton’s fourth straight semi-final loss in their nine-wicket thrashing at Baddeley 1.

Greta/Branxton batted first and turned in their worst batting performance of the year to be skittled for just 116, but credit must go to the Supporters bowlers who hit consistent line and lengths to keep constant pressure on their opponents.

Skipper Brent Watson was Greta/Branxton’s best with the bat with 25, with Josh Dagg (18) and Greg Andrews (15) showing some resistance.

Andrew Nicolai bowled beautifully for the home side, knocking over the top order to finish with 4-24 off 10, with Tim Goldman (2-19 off 7) also bowling tidily.

The Goannas breezed to victory inside 25 overs in reply after losing just the one wicket. Skipper Troy Culley continued his stellar season with the bat, carrying it to finish unbeaten on 59, his fourth half century of the season.

He was supported well by Michael Gates who was also there for the winning runs on 39no, with Peter Brennan making 17.

Nathan Holz was the sole wicket taker for the Blues with 1-17 off 3.

This sets up a bit of a change of scenery for the premiership decider, with Mulbring to take on Supporters after Mulbring have played Bellbird in the last three.

Read the first grade grand final preview here.

Greta/Branxton 10/125 (Andrew Bercini 46, Brett Bridge 22, Darren Thomson 13, Pat Cagney 5-28 off 9.3, Justin Hlad 4-44 off 10) defeated Bellbird 10/91 (Stefan Durie 26, Matt Crump 20, Matt Schrieber 20, Andrew Bercini 6-22 off 4.4, Mark Peace 2-10 off 5).

Chelmsford Hotel 10/129 (Ryan Wilcox 43, Daniel Killen 27, Brad Hanlon 20, Dale Arnold 3-19 off 7, Luke Sweeney 3-26 off 6.4, Zach Sneesby 2-23 off 10, Paul Wright 2-36 off 6) defeated Supporters 10/123 (L. Morris 50, M. Woodbury 23, J. Morris 16, D. Johnston 3-18 off 10, A. Folan 3-31 off 6, H. Ridley 3-17 off 9).

Laguna 8/148 (J. Bailey 61, J. Cleary 53, Mark Stevens 3-37 off 6, Matt Clarkson 2-30 off 7, Nick Hurn 2-16 off 6) defeated Bellbird 8/144 (Chris Fairlie 27, Vern Preston 22, Matt Harrison 16, J. Bailey 4-30 off 10, G. Kelso 2-21 off 10).

Greta/Branxton Blue 7/209 (Sean Wright 82, Andrew Wright 75, Steve Peace 13, Jamie McNamara 4-10 off 10, Zach MacBeth 2-18 off 2) defeated Greta/Branxton White 10/189 (Jamie McNamara 64, Adam Kerry 19, Zach MacBeth 18, Cory Stephenson 16, Connor Thomson 16, Aaron Stephenson 16, Pat Nugent 3-42 off 9, Steve Peace 2-47 off 10).

Wine Country 9/129 (J. Ellis 16, M. Wood 13, Callum Delaney-Dunn 4-40 off 9, Heath Cameron 2-24 off 10, Jordan Field 2-17 off 6) defeated Bellbird 10/79 (Jordan Field 27no, Shaun Anderson 15, Ben Sillay 12, M. Wood 2-16 off 5, B. Morris 2-7 off 3, Z. Ellis 2-5 off 1).

Greta/Branxton 7/143 (Logan Millard 56, James Thomson 32, Anthony Lawrence 29no, Rob Young 3-39 off 9, Lloyd Duggan 2-27 off 5) defeated Mulbring 9/137 (Rob Young 55, Daryl Payne 21, Ben Rowlands 14, Rob Gough, Lloyd Duggan 13, Ben Ciba 3-32 off 10, Anthony Lawrence 2-51 off 10, Sam Hines 2-22 off 10).

First Grade (12:30pm Start Saturday)

Mulbring (1st) vs Supporters (2nd) at Carmichael 1.

Second Grade (12:30pm Start Saturday)

Chelmsford Hotel (3rd) vs Greta/Branxton (4th) at Mulbring.

Third Grade (12:30pm Start Saturday)

Greta/Branxton Blue (2nd) vs Laguna (4th) at Miller 1.

Fourth Grade (12:30pm Start Saturday)

Wine Country (1st) vs Greta/Branxton (2nd) at Allandale.