Rose knock puts Wests in grand final
WESTS are through to the Townsville Cricket grand final after knocking over Norths in a hard- fought semi- final at Mick Downey Oval yesterday.
Kim Rose played a crucial knock for Wests in the bowler- friendly conditions as they made 157 before skipper Shaun Curnow led the way with the ball as they dismissed Norths for 99.
Wests had the momentum after beating Norths in the last regular season round, but strong opening spells from Ty Snow ( 3- 39) and Sam Collingwood ( 4- 44) had them 5- 57.
Rose ( 44) and Curnow ( 24) combined for a dogged 37- run stand to get Wests back on track before the tail wagged as Sean Farrelly ( 14) helped Wests post 157.
In reply, Norths were under pressure from the start of their run chase as Dunlop ( 2- 20) and Curnow ( 5- 14) combined to reduce them to 4- 13.
Captain Matthew McGuire ( 11) and Callan Sunderland ( 14) did their best, but Wests’ bowling attack was on song as Norths slipped to 7- 46.
Jacob Arratoon ( 27) and Nathan Tennent ( 17) put on a 42- run stand down the order before Jack Raffles ( 2- 18) dismissed them both and Norths were soon all out for 99.
It was another strong bowling display from Wests after bowling out Norths for 105 last weekend, but Farrelly believed it was Rose’s deter- mined 44 off 149 balls that won them the game.
“We did it tough for a bit there. We were 4- 50 and Kim Rose’s batting was outstanding. He pretty much won us the game,” he said.
Wests will now face defending champions Sub Parks in this weekend’s decider at Tony Ireland Stadium.
Sub Parks have been the dominant force in Townsville cricket and finished top of the table again this season, but Farrelly said Wests were excited for the challenge.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us against Sub Parks. In- form team, and fairly dominated for the last eight years, but it’ll be a good test for us,” he said.