Bellbird and Wine Country will fight out for the T20 premiership honours in this year's Cessnock District Tier One competition after both won through to the final with victories over the weekend.
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After winning the inaugural Coalfields Cup a fortnight ago, Bellbird will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet after disposing of the Piranhas at East End.
Bellbird posted a very healthy 5-174 from their 20 overs batting first, with Jason Orr continuing his stellar season with the bat by scoring 60 from just 38 balls.
He was well backed up by skipper Rob Drage (35), Ben Fairlie (30) and Joey Main (24no). Piranhas skipper Matt Zechel (2-12 off 2) and Luke Sweeney (2-28 off 3) took a brace of wickets each.
The Piranhas were all out for 103 in reply, with Ashton Williams (17), Adam Sable (16) James Collins (15no) and Bailey Robinson (14) making starts. Hilal Abbas (2-20 off 3), Scott Miller (2-10 off 3) and Main (2-6 off 2) collected a couple of wickets each for the Tigers.
The equation was simple for Wine Country in the afternoon fixture at the same venue. Win and they were through to the decider, and they did this in style by disposing of Mulbring by 36 runs.
The Wood Ducks were all out in the final over for a modest 116 batting first, with Luke Jeans leading the way with 33. Most other Wine Country batsmen made starts, with Josh Dwyer (16), Jack Morris (12), Ethan Ellis (12) and Aaron Zechel (12) all contributing.
Mulbring managed to bat their overs in reply by finished at 9-80 and well shy of the target. Hudson Smith (3-4 off 4) and Jeans (2-19 off 4) were the pick of the Wine Country attack.
Greta/Branxton had the bye and finished with the wooden spoon after being bowled out in all games in a disappointing campaign.
Both Tier One and Tier Two finals will be played at East End this Saturday.
Tier Two will see Bellbird take on Greta/Branxton at 10am, with Wine Country looking to make amends after being washed out in the Coalfields Cup semi final when they take on Bellbird at 2pm.
TIER 2
Round 3
Greta/Branxton 5/71 off 10.1 (Sam Dagg 36, Jamie McNamara 21, Matthew Kemp 2-18 off 2) defeated Piranhas 10/69 off 15.1 (Heath Walker 20, Mark Merrick 13, Zach MacBeth 4-14 off 3.1, Aaron Stephenson 3-20 off 2, Jamie McNamara 3-6 off 4).
Bellbird 5/130 off 20 (Steve Bedford 45, Brad Henderson 27, Jordan Field 17, Rob Jordan 12, Wayne Harris 1-25 off 4, Jessen Ballenden 1-27 off 4, Jayden O'Connor 1-19 off 4, Peter Davis 1-5 off 2) defeated Wine Country 9/124 off 20 (Wayne Harris 44, Eain Harris 25, Lewis Howells 20, Joel Butterfield 6-12 off 4, Gavin Kronholm 2-27 off 4).
T20 Points Tables - Final Standings
Tier 1
P W L T D B Points NRR
Bellbird 5 2 - - 2 1 6 2.35
Wine Country 5 2 1 - 1 1 5 1.47
Piranhas 5 2 1 - 1 1 5 0.02
Mulbring 5 - 2 1 1 1 2 -0.93
Greta/Branxton 5 - 2 1 1 1 2 -2.19
Tier 2
P W L D Points NRR
Bellbird 3 3 - - 6 1.21
Greta/Branxton 3 2 1 - 4 1.80
Wine Country 3 1 2 - 2 0.07
Piranhas 3 - 3 - - -2.86