The Cessnock District representative John Bull Shield team will contest this year's final after defeating Singleton by 91 runs at East End Oval last Sunday.
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Cessnock batted first and made a neat 200, having been bowled out in the penultimate over of the innings.
Cameron Ross (40), Fletcher Sharp (38), Sam Peacock (29), Brent Watson (17), Jason Orr (14) and Drew Olsen (13) all made useful contributions to the competitive target.
For Singleton Isaac Barry was superb with the new ball, claiming 4-41 off 10, with fellow opener Daniel Thrift taking 2-46 off 8.
Singleton were skittled for 109 in reply inside 25 overs, with Barry completing a man-of-the-match lone hand performance in a well-beaten side. He top scored with an unbeaten 33, with Alex Thrift (17) and Travis Batch making starts.
Brent Watson was Cessnock's best with the ball, claiming an expensive 3-43 off 6, with Zach Sneesby (2-31 off 8), Patrick Andrews (2-15 off 5) and Sharpe (2-0 off 1) all picking up a brace of wickets each.
Cessnock finished equal with Suburban Districts at the top of the ladder, but Suburban had the superior averages meaning they will host the final which will be played on Sunday, February 7.
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The team consisted of Joey Butler (c, Greta/Branxton), Jason Orr (Bellbird), Drew Olsen (Mulbring), Cameron Ross (Mulbring), Mark Crowfoot (Piranhas), Fletcher Sharpe (Piranhas), Jason Varoxis (Mulbring), Sam Peacock (Wine Country), Reuben Andrews (Greta/Branxton), Brent Watson (Greta/Branxton), Patrick Andrews (Greta/Branxton), Zach Sneesby (Mulbring).
T20 REPORT: PIRANHAS CONTINUE TO IMPRESS
The Piranhas continue to impress in the Cessnock District T20 Tier One competition to remain at the top of the ladder after the second week of play.
The morning games saw the Piranhas win a thriller by two runs over Wine Country at East End.
Batting first, the Piranhas managed a modest 9-101 from their 20 overs, with Tyson Johnson (28), skipper Matt Zechel (25), Mark Crowfoot (16) and Adam Sable (15) providing the runs. Hudson Smith was the best of the Wine Country attack with 4-17 off 4, supported well by Ben Wood (3-14 off 4) and Luke Jeans (2-29 off 4).
The Wood Ducks fell just shy of the target in an exciting finish, closing their innings at 9-99. Jack Morris top scored with 32, with Jayden O'Connor (16) and George Copeland (12) making starts. Veteran Dane Grills once again proved a handful with 3-18 off 4, with Johnson completing a fine all-round game with 2-17 off 3.
If the above match was not tight enough, Greta/Branxton and Mulbring played out a tie at Miller Park.
Greta/Branxton's batting woes continued as they were all bowled out in the 19th over for 75. Greg Andrews led the way with 19, receiving good support from rookie Will Regan with 12no. Willie Watson was the pick of the Mulbring attack with 3-21 off 3.5, with Darren Sutton (2-13 off 3), Zach Sneesby (2-9 off 3) and Beau Lantry 2-8 off 3) all taking a brace of wickets each.
The Marlins finished on 8-75 from their 20 overs, with Mick Mascord the only batsman in double figures with 27. Patrick Andrews (2-14 off 4) and Cliff Newling (2-7 off 4) were the Blues' best with the four-piece.
Bellbird enjoyed the morning off with the bye.
The afternoon session saw Wine Country end Greta/Branxton's chances of a maiden title by defeating them by 76 runs at Miller Park.
The Wood Ducks batted first and posted a healthy 6-165 from their 20 overs. Josh Dwyer blasted 74 from just 43 deliveries in an entertaining knock, with Sam Peacock playing a great supporting role with 41. Connor Thomson was the best of the Greta/Branxton attack with 3-31 off 4.
Greta/Branxton were all out for the second time in the day with just 89. Skipper Joey Butler (14), Thomson (13), Greg Andrews and Brett Bridge (12 apiece) were the only batsmen to make an impression. Ben Wood (3-9 off 2.1), Luke Jeans (3-16 off 4) and John Barrett (2-19 off 4) shared the wickets for the visitors.
Bellbird carried on their good form after snaring the inaugural Coalfields Cup last week, this time disposing of Mulbring by 23 runs at Mulbring Oval.
The Tigers posted 6-137 batting first, with skipper Robert Keith Drage smashing 76 at the top of the order. Ben Fairlie was next best with a productive 42 not out. Scott Robertson was the pick of the Mulbring attack with 2-11 off 4.
The Marlins finished on 9-114 in reply, with Robertson (38), skipper Jason Varoxis (21no) and Mick Mascord (21) scoring the majority of runs. Zach Kronholm (4-14 off 4) and Lachlan Marino (2-17 off 3) did the majority of the damage.
The Piranhas had the afternoon bye.
TIER 2 RESULTS
Round 1 (replayed from washed out games previous week)
Bellbird 5/138 off 20 (S. Bedford 48, N. Wallace 27, R. Jordan 16, G. Kronholm 14no, B. Henderson 12no, C. Stone 2-31 off 4, Z. MacBeth 2-34 off 4) defeated Greta/Branxton 7/133 off 20 (J. McNamara 58, M. Hedger 27, A. Kerry 25, B. Henderson 3-15 off 3, J. Butterfield 2-18 off 4).
Wine Country 1/82 (B. Zechel 1-20 off 4) defeated Piranhas 10/75 off 19 (K. Maramreddy 42, B. Zechel 10).
Round 2
Bellbird 3/76 off 11 (S. Bedford 54no, J. Butterfield 10no, B. Zechel 3-16 off 4) defeated Piranhas 6/75 off 20 (M. Merrick 20, RA. Clark 12no, G. Kemp 10no).
Greta/Branxton 3/122 off 14.4 (A. Kerry 65no, C. Stephenson 22, J. McNamara 17, A. McClellan 1-25 off 3, K. Howson 1-18 off 2, P. Davis 1-0 off 0.4) defeated Wine Country 9/121 off 20 (B. Vanlaarhoven 57, H. Webb 16, C. Stone 3-16 off 3, D. McCann 2-16 off 4, Z. MacBeth 2-19 off 2).
T20 POINTS TABLES
Tier 1
P W L T D B Points NRR
Piranhas 4 2 - - 1 1 5 1.80
Bellbird 4 1 - - 2 1 4 1.15
Wine Country 4 1 1 - 1 1 3 1.35
Mulbring 4 - 1 1 1 1 2 -0.58
Greta/Branxton 4 - 2 1 1 - 2 -2.19
Tier 2
P W L D Points NRR
Bellbird 2 2 - - 4 1.70
Greta/Branxton 2 1 1 - 2 0.88
Wine Country 2 1 1 - 2 0.29
Piranhas 2 - 2 - - -2.57
