Kumara denies Blackbridge

For much of the C grade T20 grand final, Blackbridge looked as though they might claim a flag in their first foray into the Warragul District Cricket Association’s T20 competition, only to be denied in the final over of the match by a stunning onslaught from Gamini Kumara.

Chasing Blackbridge’s total of 142, Yarragon’s chase stuttered against a sensational bowling performance from Paul Bridges-Black – with the all-rounder claiming 2-7 from his four over spell. His accuracy and changes in pace made life difficult for the Panthers batsmen.

Laytten Smith and Zaron Smith occupied the crease with Kumara and helped push the game towards the ‘death overs’ with the game still up for grabs.

Kumara’s ability with the bat is no secret across the association, and his ability to reach – and clear – the boundary means that no target is too far away with him still at the crease.

Bludgeoning the first two balls of the over for six, Kumara was forced onto the backfoot briefly by two dot balls, only to blast a six and a four to finish, taking his total to 87*, Yarragon to 6-145, and the T20 C grade flag heading back down the highway to the Panthers home.

Earlier in the day, Sam Mooney (47) and Paul Bridges-Black (32) combined to lift Blackbridge to 142, with their 60-run partnership overcoming a slow start from the top order.

Kumara (2-14 from four) and Laytten Smith (2-15) were the pick of the bowlers for Yarragon.