DECISION: Norths players Dane Bowen and John Perkins (centre) celebrate the run-out as Basin batsmen Brandon Labb and Callum Franchi stand their ground at the same end of the pitch. Inset: Umpires Mark Jennings and Keith Wenham compare notes before an upset Callum Franchi is dismissed without score.
THE main event under 16 junior cricket grand final between the Brad Ison led North Nowra- Cambewarra and the Brandon Labb Led Bay and Basin lived up its thrilling expectations yesterday at Bernie Regan Sporting Complex.
As predicted the match was an arm wrestle between Norths’ Ison brothers Brad and Adam, and the Bay and Basin Labb twins Brandon and Michael.
With a partnership of 107, the Labb twins looked to be settled at the crease in their chase of Norths’ first innings total, but it was their nemesis Brad Ison who split the pair when Michael was dismissed for 53 runs. Consoled by his brother Brandon as he left the field, supporters hoped new batsman Callum Franchi could take up where Michael Labb had left off.
Within two balls the new partnership was over when Franchi, yet to face a ball, took off for a quick single only to arrive at the other end to be greeted by Brandon who had remained in his crease.
With the bails removed at the bowler’s end and the Norths’ team celebrating the wicket, both batsmen stood their ground forcing the umpires to adjudicate on who should be dismissed.
Following 30 seconds of deliberation a clearly upset Franchi was given his marching orders.
The dismissal was a huge blow for Basin whose tail order collapsed leaving Labb on 87n.o and the team 16 runs from victory.
Full coverage of the weekend’s junior grand final action starts on page 30.