Thunder secures top spot

In what can only be described as an extraordinary year for Gilgandra Junior Cricket, and only the second year of playing in the Dubbo and District Junior Cricket Association competition, Gilgandra has qualified three of our four teams in the semi-finals.

Round 15, being the last round of the regular season, was going to be very important for so many of the teams. The under 14Bs had all but secured third spot on the ladder before the game on Saturday.

Against Narromine, it was a chance for the team to fine tune a few skills in preparation for the semi-finals. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Gilgandra struggled against some very accurate bowling and wicket after wicket tumbled as Narromine continued to rattle the stumps. Resistance came in the eight wicket partnership when Sarah Chandler and Ethan Morris put on a very valuable partnership. Sarah reached her top score of six runs in a determined display of batting which lasted 24 balls.

A quick fire 29 runs by Marshall Parker ensured there was a reasonable total of 84 to defend. Ethan Morris finished six not out after facing 26 balls and batted terrific and showed what it means to value your wicket and sometimes it's not always about the number of runs scored. In reply, Narromine proved too strong reaching the target for only the loss of two wickets.

A wicket each to Darcy Morris and Rory McGlinn. In the 12Bs games, the results were critical in determining semi-final spots. Lightning were already out of contention, although this didn't dampen their enthusiasm against Narromine Red. Batting first, Narromine reached a good total of 127. Again the Lightning bowlers showed how much they have improved over the year. Poppy Grace Newton was the best of the bowlers taking two wickets for 12 runs from her two overs.

In reply, Lightning tried very hard to run down the total but fell short by 22 runs. Sam Tobin continued his excellent season top scoring again with 17 runs. Well done to the Lightning for a great year, the youngest of the teams who played the season with enthusiasm and great sportsmanship and no doubt they will be back next year for a tilt at the title.

The Storm team were playing for a semi-final spot and a win was going to secure fourth spot. South Dubbo Pink Hornets batted first, and Storm were able to restrict the Hornets to a total of eight wickets for 84 runs. Darcy Walker and Jock Mills were the best of the bowlers with figures of two wickets for five runs and two wickets for four runs respectively. In reply, Storm showed why they are premiership contenders belting their way to an impressive win scoring 133 runs for only the loss of five wickets to record an important win and as the results from other games concluded, the big win was what eventually secured their fourth spot, adding to their superior runs percentage. Jake Fordham was again top scorer with 16 runs.

Coming into the final round, the 12Bs Thunder team was equal first place and needed to win and win well, that's exactly what they did! Playing against Wellington Maroon, the Thunder, batting first and amassed a huge total of 148 for only the loss of one wicket.

The Big Bash Brothers, Alex and Mitch Cosier, were the best of the Thunder batters scoring 24 and 21 respectively. In reply, the bowlers showed their class restricting Wellington to seven wickets for 61 runs. Evie Peart was the best of the bowlers with two wickets for only eight runs from her three overs.

This was an important win for the Thunder and ensured they finished equal top spot with South Dubbo but ahead on percentages.

Congratulations to Thunder and Storm for making the semi-finals, the irony is, fourth placed Storm will play first placed Thunder to see who goes through to the grand final. The game will guarantee Gilgandra Junior Cricket are represented in the grand finals for the first time.

In the 14Bs, Gilgandra will play Wellington for a spot in the grand final.