FLANELLED FOOLS: 14 MARCH 2017

Cricket Round-Up By GREG PRINGLE*

Country v Cudal Grand Final this Saturday

For the second consecutive season the Oilsplus Grand Final of the Molong Saturday cricket competition will be played between Country and Cudal after the latter disposed of a gallant Magpies in last Saturdays Preliminary Final.

Batting first, Magpies got off to a good start from openers David Hobbs (25) and Jim Gavin (18).

Hobbs has been in great form in the latter part of the season and was batting very well until he was stumped by a great piece of wicket-keeping by man-of-the-match Chris Douglas.

After the two openers went. Magpies struggled and when their best batsman this season, Jeremy Middleton, went LBW first ball, the mood turned to despair.

But Jacob Evans (43) came to the rescue, allowing Magpies to post a reasonable total of 131.

Cudal’s bowlers all plied a consistent line and length that was difficult to get away, with Troy Adams the chief destroyer taking 4-24 before badly dislocating his finger trying to take his fifth wicket with a difficult caught-and-bowled chance.

Troy attended Molong Hospital and then Orange Hospital before his finger was realigned after eight attempts by medical staff.

Tim Kennedy, as usual, was also in the mix, taking 3-18.

As expected, Cudal had little trouble passing Magpies total doing so in the 26th over to book a place in this week’s Grand Final.

Man-of-the-match Chris Douglas spanked the Magpies attack in a quick-fire 56 whilst his opening partner Pete Tattersal finished 59 not out, with Cudal winning by eight wickets.

David Hobbs and Luke Osborn took a wicket each for Magpies.

Grand Final day commences at 1pm on Saturday at the Molong Recreation Ground.

The canteen will be open during the match between Minor Premiers Molong Country and Cudal, with BBQ and drinks available.

Country will start clear favourites after dominating the competition all season, but Cudal will post a very competitive team in what should be a very close Grand Final.

May the best team win.

*Greg Pringle is Secretary/Treasurer of Molong District Cricket. He plays for Molong Magpies but swears he is as hard, if not harder, on his own guys as the opposition.