Golf Club knock over minor premiers in grand final

Golf Club won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Cameron Cox and Mark Hale had 51 runs on the board when Hale – who would go onto be the top scorer – was bowled for 34.

This triggered something of a batting collapse and Golf Club lost their next five wickets for just 14 runs. It was beginning to look like the side that finished the regular season in third place were in trouble.

Trent Bright – batting at number six – provided some stability, holding his wicket while several others fell around him and contributing 24 to the score before he was caught.

Their innings was all over in the 26th over with Golf Club setting a target of 105 for the Minor Premiers to chase.

James Gillham was the stand out of the Lawson Park bowlers, taking 4/23 off of his 10 overs during which he bowled four maidens.

James Fisher took 2/25 off just under nine overs, having taken the final wicket of the innings, and collected two maidens of his own.

Jamie Golden took the breakthrough wicket of Hale but went for 38 runs and Michael Ford took 1/16 in his three over cameo.

However, Golf Club were determined to defend their total and had both openers – Brad Golden (13) and James Ford (3) – back in the sheds when the scoreboard was at just 16.

Things got worse for Lawson Park, losing their next three for a combined 11 runs.

Fisher tried his best and put in a fine all-round display notching up 37 runs to be his side’s top scorer.

But the order had well and truly collapsed and they were all out for 78 in reply.

Brian O’Reilly was devastating as he ripped through the top order, he finished his 10 overs with 5/26 and two maidens, his bowling was even more tight in that he didn’t give away any sundries.

Just as impressive was Trent Bright, who bowled out 10 overs taking 4/9 and four maidens cleaning up the tail.

And when he knocked over the wickets of Jamie Golden and Max Wheatley in succession he found himself on a hat trick.

When Cameron Cox (1/11) bowled the stoic Fisher it was all over and the celebrations began. 

Golf Club captain Jacob Edmonds said the batting collapse from his side had them worried but credited his side for hanging in there and the bowlers for setting up the victory.

“It was a low scoring one, I didn’t think we were much of a chance early when the first wicket fell and we lost 5/14,” he said.

“We came back well to get 100.

“Our bowlers did well early on, [O’Reilly] five-for and Trent Bright was really tight at the other end and early wickets always get you in the game, got our confidence up early and helped us out.”

He added that it capped off an “up and down” season for the premiers, but an enjoyable one with the new format of the  Mudgee District Cricket First Division competition for 2015/16, which provided some interesting moments.

“Numbers hurt us a bit when we were light on troops at times,” he said.

“I honestly thought the Lawson Park Firsts were the best side all year, obviously why they were minor premiers.

“But in the grand final it all came together for us.

“It was a good season, the top three teams were definitely the most competitive ones and it was a great tussle, but there was also some good tussles with the Reserve grade teams as well Lawson Park Reserve beat us during the season.”

In Saturday’s other action, Lawson Park Reserves beat Paragon in the Second Division final and Carpet Court took out the plate with their win over Woolpack.