CGCA win White Cup
T. Keily - Long
120no and 6/25 J. Walsh - BB 119 R. Holdsworth - BB 90no
J. Ward - Neerim 104no A. Harrison - Neerim 71 N. Bayne - Neerim 59no
J. Davidson - BB M. Neilson - Iona S. Viotto - Jind
B. McDonald - Hall A. Singh - Wgl D. Chugg - Jind
C. Park - BB 57 K. Thompson - WP 55 B. Majcherzak - Long 53
L. Lenders - Iona B. Cross - Drn D. Wagner - Jind
H. Darcy - J/N 41no B. Osseweyer - Drn 39no T. North - H/E 3/2
M. Roberts - WP C. Diston - Hall D. Pullen - Long
85no 85no
91
67 67 58no
63no
57 54no
53 39no 38no
A stunning half-century by Ben McCormack ensured that the Central Gippsland Cricket Association returned home from Collegians Cricket Ground in Sale with victory over Sale-Maffra in the Gippsland Cricket League under 18s T20 final.
After electing to bowl first, Central Gippsland suffocated the Sale-Maffra bats, as none dared to play with any risk and increase the scoring rate.
Blair Clymo started proceedings, claiming two wickets with his leg-breaks to put Sale-Maffra under early pressure.
Throughout the innings, SaleMaffra were content to knock the ball into gaps for ones and twos, as the Central Gippsland bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length.
Toward the back end of the innings, Hayden Kimpton picked up two wickets, and Jack Gray was economical, taking 1/16 off four, with his last over in the innings 19th conceding only four runs.
For Sale-Maffra, Connor Hughes carried his bat, finishing 65 not out to solidify the situation.
Chasing 108 for victory, Central Gippsland’s run chase got off to a shaky start, losing two early wickets.
At the eleven over mark Central Gippsland were 3/37 and the advantage appeared to be with Sale-Maffra.
That was until Ben McCormack strode to the crease and played the innings of a lifetime. Ben, from Boolarra, whacked 50 from 22 scoring shots and departed in the 19th over with the score at 5/97.
He was able to manufacture gaps in the field and ride his luck as Sale-Maffra put down two sitters.
At the eighteen over mark the comparative scores were exactly the same, before Central Gippsland held their nerve and were able to scramble home in the dying stages.
Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien was on hand to present the winning team with the cup, as all players enjoyed being crowned their age groups best T20 association in Gippsland.
Warragul District Cricket Association has finalised its squad for Country Week, to be played in suburban Melbourne from Monday, February 19.
The WDCA will compete in division three, taking on Seymour at Camberwell, Goulburn Murray at Schramms Reserve and Ferntree Gully Colts at W A Scammell Reserve.
The semi final will be played on February 22, followed by the final on February 23.
The WDCA have named a 13player squad with three emergencies.
Squad: Sam Batson (captain), Jack Paull, Ryan Williams, Thomas Keily, Rhys Holdsworth, Nick Fairbank, Damon Healy, Sam Russell, Craig Byrnes, James Williams, Tyler McDonald, Sam Whibley, Will Robertson.
Emergencies: Trevor Gardiner, Jack Armour, Sanjaya Gangodawila.