SHOALHAVEN Ex-Servicemens are back on top of the Shoalhaven District Cricket Association – after Sunday’s thrilling two-day final victory.
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But the first grade minor premiers didn’t have it all their own way at Hayden Drexel Oval against Bomaderry.
After Saturday was completely washed out, the match was reduced to just Sunday to decide who would be the 2017/18 Shoalhaven District Cricket Association champions.
The toss on Sunday, at an earlier time thanks to play starting at 9.30am was crucial, with Bomaderry’s Nick McDonald winning and sending the hosts to the crease – a decision Ex-Servos’ Daniel Gleeson would have done also due to the state of the pitch.
But it was a grand final and Gleeson and his troops just got on with the task at hand.
Gleeson and his damaging opening partner Chris Bramley weathered the difficult conditions early, before the latter was out for 10.
The skipper was the next to fall, 17 runs later, when he was caught by Justin Ganderton off the bowling of Stu Jeffrey for 29.
Jeffrey then claimed his third wicket of the match, when he caught and bowled Graham Phillis for 15.
This brought Trevor Thomason to the crease – which changed the complexion of the match for the hosts.
The allrounder went on to score 74 from 103 balls, steering the host to a total of 176.
The only other two batsmen to reach double figures for the hosts were Nathan Austin (11) and Paul Maiolo (12), while Jeffrey was the Tigers best bowler with 3/31 from his six overs.
The seamer was well supported by Michael Coulter (2/24), Justin Ganderton (2/30), John Muggleton (2/36) and Jordan Matthews (1/49).
At the change of innings, the Tigers had their tails up, especially after the start the Coulter brothers gave them to their innings.
Josh and Michael Coulter scored 39 and 11 respectively, to give the Tigers a strong platform.
Skipper Nick McDonald and Blake Munilla then built on their solid work, scoring 36 and 21 respectively, taking the score to 3/93 when Munilla was dismissed.
Still in the driver’s seat, the Tigers’ line-up crumbled – losing their final six wickets for just 37 runs.
Most of the damage was done by Bob Jennings Medallist Trevor Thomason, who claimed 5/71 from his extraordinary 19 overs bowled – including four maidens.
Fellow quick Nate Jones finished with 4/47, as Matt Smit (1/16) claimed the other wicket.