Although the Canecutters edged out Warriors in Whitsunday Cricket Grand Final, cricket was the real winner on the weekend as spectators were treated to a “nail-biter.”
Batting first on a wet pitch, Warriors got off to reasonable start given the conditions as Bryce Fraser (33) and Craig Valmadre (19) put on a 47-run opening stand before youngster Darcy Milne (1/40) made the breakthrough.
Young gun Grady Turner was then given the opportunity and took it with both hands, ripping through Warrior’s top and middle order on his way to the very impressive figures of 5/19 off his 8 overs.
Randal ‘Red’ Porter (15) offered some resistance in the middle order, whilst Shane Knight (30) got the Warriors tail wagging on their way to 8/147.
Canecutters failed to make a decent start as Warriors opening bowler Andrew McNichol (1/18) produced an absolute ‘Jaffa’ to send opening batsman Michael Pettiford back to the sheds.
Liam Davies (23) combined with youngster Darcy Milne to steady the ship, although Canecutters were struggling to keep up with the required run rate.
Bryce Fraser (2/24) was the catalyst in slowing the run rate, with youngster Kohen Mau (1/23) offering some assistance.
Fresh off his bowling efforts, Grady Turner (40) took the long handle and dispatched Warriors bowling to all corners of the field to put Canecutters firmly back into the game.
His demise on 40 looked as though it might be spur on a Warriors fight back, however Darcy Milne (48 not out) was the real star in the batting line-up for Canecutters showing how important it is to place a value on one’s wicket.
Without his steady influence, the result may well have been different as he was joined by Troy Pettiford (18 not out) to see Canecutters home with just 5 balls left to spare.
Canecutters were crowned Premiers and were the better side all season, having dug deep when it mattered the most.
Contributed with thanks to Dale Mengel
Warriors captain Bryce Fraser (back left) and Canecutters winning captain Liam Davies (Second from back left) with some Junior Cricketers
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