Pub With No Beer took on the Nambucca Hotel in a close match. Pub batted first and had 2/11 early, Joe Costa 28 and Connor Johnson 27 put on a 54 run partnership, then the publican Wade Clarke headed out and blasted a quick fire 39.

Grant Nicholas chimed in with 22 ‘not out’ at the end to steer Pub to 7/164 after being 2/44 at the halfway mark. Best with the ball for Hotel were Jason Ahern 8 overs, 5 maidens 2 for 8, Mick Townsend 1/15 off 8 overs and Curtis Ellis 2/33 off 4 overs.

Nambucca Hotel was in all sorts of trouble with only nine players; they had lost half of their wickets in the first two overs. Joey Newman went the first ball of the innings, bowled middle stump by a swinging Yorker from Joe Costa and Tim Bekis copped the same ball first up for the same result leaving Costa on a hat trick.

Curtis Ellis survived the hat trick but only just, 2/1 after the first over. Brandon Willer bowled the 2nd over Matt Brandolli nicked first ball to Barry Lockyer at 2nd slip who managed to fumble it into his body and take it, 3/1. 

Two balls later Michael Stennett chased a wide one and only managed to get thin edge off the toe of the bat and carried low down to first slip where Nigel Wilbow took an excellent low catch, 4/1. Todd Bartlett was next to go for 6, a big drive to wide long on looked like four off the bat, but Connor Johnson ran around jumped at full stretch to take the catch ones handed while in mid-air for what would have to be the catch of the season, 5/18.

Mick Townsend was looking good and he and Ellis got Hotel through to drinks at 5/77 but first ball after drinks Grant Nicholas struck getting Townsend stumped by Costa for 31, 6/77. Then Ellis 38 drove one in the air and Wade Clarke took it one handed and injured his opposite shoulder in the process, 7/83. 

Nino Ramunno was dropped first ball with a top edge dropped by Cameron Johnson. The resistance didn’t last long with Jason Ahern hitting one straight to Wade Clarke at point to end the innings all out for 103.

Best bowlers for Pub we’re Joe Costa 3/15, Brandon Willer 3/20 both off 7 overs and Grant Nicholas With 2/29 off 8 overs.

Pub With No Beer were the winners by 61 runs. Not enough for them the make the finals but a great way to end the season.

Macksville Ex-services were up against Scotts Head who remained undefeated for the season. Ex-services batted first and were all out for 140 in 35 overs, Scotts Head passed the target 8 wickets down in 36 overs to get the win. 

Nambucca Hotel Colts won by forfeit against Bowraville. Macksville Country Club had the Bye.

Final Standings: 

The semifinals are this Saturday and will see Scotts Head against Nambucca Hotel at Scotts Head  and Macksville Country Club will take on the Nambucca Hotel Colts at Donnelly Welsh.

Check the Nambucca Valley Cricket Association (NVCA) Facebook page for updates.

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