Champions crowned

On a dreary Sunday morning in Dubbo, the threat of heavy rain and the construct squalls of passing showers didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the junior cricketers ready to play their grand finals. The Thunder were the more fancied side as they headed into the match.

Rugby won the toss and sent Thunder into bat. All batters were allocated 15 balls for their innings. Cooper Baker (nine runs) and Mitch Cosier (14) got the innings off to a great start. Ollie Peart (two runs), Georgia Allen (eight runs), and Evie Peart (14) batted well keeping the score line ticking over. Then Alex Cosier (15) and Isaac Baker (30) joined forces to smash the Rugby bowlers to all parts of the ground. Vaughan Zell put the cherry on top by consolidating the innings scoring five runs help the Thunder to an overall score of three wickets for 166 runs.

Isaac Baker top scoring with an impressive 30 runs from his 15 balls. After posting an impressive first innings total, the Thunder were determined not to let Rugby have any sniff of victory. Their bowling was outstanding taking nine wickets and restricting Rugby to a total of nine wickets for 119 runs. One wicket each to Cooper Baker and Georgia Allan, Isaac Baker with two wickets. But it was Alex Cosier with a player of the grand final performance, taking a brilliant five wickets for just six runs in three overs to secure a very impressive win for the Thunder team.

Coach Jaimie Zell said "it was a great all-round performance by the team”.

“The improvement they have made throughout the year has been tremendous. They have been an absolute pleasure to coach, they played every game with high energy and great spirit, and they deserve all their success.

“I can't speak highly enough of the sportsmanship shown by all players. A special acknowledgement to the parents who have supported me and the team, without the scorers and the helpers it's not possible."

In the other grand final, the Gilgandra 14Bs faced off against the hot favourites Dubbo CYMS. CYMS won the toss and elected to bat first. The game was restricted to 26 overs each after a short rain delay. The rain made bowling and fielding quite slippery, but the Gil team handled the conditions extremely well. CYMS got off to a solid start with the fall of the first wicket on 33.

From there it was a constant flow of wickets at critical times and Gilgandra prevented CYMS from getting a roll on. After the 26 overs Gilgandra were very happy restricting CYMS to four wickets lost for 105 runs. A wicket each to Darcy Morris and Harry Tobin, and two wickets to Rhyan Hutchinson, who at one stage was on a hat trick.

Feeling confident that scoring 106 runs needed to win was within reach. The Gilgandra batters entered the second innings with confidence. Marshall Parker fell early after scoring four runs, and from there it was a steady procession of wickets. CYMS bowled with great accuracy on the slippery wicket and the Gilgandra players failed to adjust to the conditions. Lochie Henry (eight runs) and Jack Page (16 runs not out) offered resistance. In the end CYMS were too good, bowling out Gilgandra for 56 runs.

President Randall Medd said, "this is the second year Gilgandra Junior Cricket have been playing in the Dubbo and District Junior Cricket Competition and being able to field four teams into the competition this season and to have three make the semi-finals was a great achievement.

To get two teams into the grand final and have our first ever premiers was just brilliant, something the club is very proud off. “I have to congratulate the Thunder team on a great win and to see Alex Cosier awarded the player of the match with a match winning performance was a thrill.

“This brings the junior cricket season to a close, we have club presentation coming up with a date with be finalised.”