Young backbone in Blue Panthers win
All-rounder Bailey Young is the toast of Rupanyup-minyip after steering the Blue Panthers to a boil-over Horsham Cricket Association premiership.
Young was an obvious stand-out in an underdog Dunmunkle crew’s nail-biting win against heavily fancied Noradjuhatoolondo at Horsham City Oval.
After conspiring with team-mates to apply the screws to the Bullants’ batting order early in Saturday’s contest, the right-handed number-seven then anchored a successful chase, finishing the game unbeaten on 56.
A Horsham City Oval wicket appeared to play relatively slowly from the opening ball of the A Grade season decider and supported a Blue Panthers decision to send the Bullants in after winning the toss.
With many in an Ellie Flack Memorial 200 Club gathering on the sidelines predicting 150 being enough to win, NoradjuhaToolondo found itself defending 7-147.
The Blue Panthers made it tough for the Bullants to get any early batting momentum, capturing opener Josh Beddison early and then securing the crucial wicket of Justtin Combe for 20.
Shane Oakley, 39, and Matt Combe, 32, managed to free themselves from some of the shackles and others such as Tony Caccaviello and Troy Dumesny, 17 not out, managed to lift the run rate by the end of the allotted 45 overs.
Rupanyup-minyip bowlers shared in spoils, Lachie and Connor Weidemann and Corey Morgan claiming two wickets each.
The Blue Panthers responded to the target gingerly. Jamie Byrne left the crease early and Connor Weidemann followed for 23.
Lachie Weidemann, Daniel Schaper and Mark Mbofana also went cheaply and the combine at 5-44 appeared unlikely to haul in the Bullants’ target.
Enter Dylan Eats and Young and the runs began to flow. The pair, with Eats hitting five fours and a six, took the score to 90 and the Blue Panthers were right in the hunt.
But momentum swung again when Bullants’ Josh Beddison accepted a return catch from Eats, who was then on his way for 34 off 25 balls.
Noradjuha-toolondo tried to press the advantage but with Young at the crease runs continued to flow.
Wickets of Clint Midgley and Corey Morgan left the Bullants with only three wickets to claim, but Caeleb Leith provided Young with the late support he needed, making an unbeaten 12 and hitting the winning runs.
Rupanyup-minyip passed the target in the 42nd over with two wickets in hand.
Rupanyup-minyip needed to fight hard to earn a place in the final while NoradjuhaToolondo had dominated the season.
In other grand finals, an 87 from veteran Gary Davidson led Horsham Saints to victory over Laharum and West Wimmera was too good for Horsham Saints Black in C Grade.
Grand finals – A Grade: Rupanyup-minyip 8-149 (B. Young 56no, D. Eats 34; J. Mcdonald 3-35) d Noradjuha-toolondo Bullants 7-147 (S. Oakley 39, M. Combe 32). B Grade: Horsham Saints 164 (G. Davidson 87, A. Laffy 31; J. Mahoney 4-35) d Laharum 156 (J. Mahoney 35, B. Peucker 30, D. Griffiths 26; J. Carroll 3-27, B. Hamerston 3-28). C Grade: West Wimmera 141 (J. Crowhurst 37) d Horsham Saints Black 64.