The Nambucca Valley Cricket Association (NVCA) had the first round of semi-finals over the weekend.
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In the minor semi-final, Nambucca Hotel Colts took on the Macksville Country Club in a close, low scoring game.
Colts batted; first, it was slow going, but Dane Luffman 71 held the innings together. They had wickets in hand to have a dash towards the end but Country Club slow bowler Tyson Styles destroyed the middle and lower order taking 5/10 to have Colts all out in the 40th over for 148. A low score and bowling would need to be tight from the Colts team if they were going to win this one.
Country Club lost wickets regularly but scored a fast pace. At drinks, they were 7/106 with only 42 to win off 20 overs. Quinn Cooper came into the attack with leg spinners and claimed 3 wickets in 4 overs and Country Club were all out for 124. Rick Fry best with the bat with a forceful 51, best bowlers for Colts were Daniel Ledger 4//26 and Quinn Cooper 3/16.
This marks the end of the season for the Macksville Country Club who improved significantly over the course of the year. They have the core of a good competitive side, and if they keep that together, the team should feature in the finals again in the future.
The Major semi-final had Scotts Head against the Nambucca Hotel.
Tom Barber reports that Nambucca Hotel won the toss and elected to bat. Scotts Head started well as Logan Donovan bowled Jesse Allan for 4 in the first over. Hotel only lost one more wicket before drinks going into the break 2/89 with the game evenly poised.
It was all Hotel after the drinks break as they piled on the runs after drinks to end up 8/281 with several valuable contributions. Curtis Elis top scored on 49, M Brandolini 48, Joe Newman 45* and M Ward 35. Best bowlers for Scotts Head were L. Bennett 3/27, J.White 2/44 and N. Devereaux 1/32.
Scotts Head had a huge mountain to climb requiring 282 to win. Hotel was on top early as they restricted Scotts Head to 1/8 from their first 5 overs. Lochie Bennett, Norm Deveraux and Ryan Gleeson all batted well before drinks lifting Scotts to 2/96 at the break.
Requiring a further 186 for victory Scotts Head came out aggressively after the drinks break. Jake White and Dylan Stewart displayed some strong hitting with several deliveries being dispatched over the rope; ultimately it wasn’t enough. Scotts made their way to 200 before being all out; Hotel is now progressing to the grand final.
Best bowlers for Hotel were Michael Townsend 2/8 from 8 overs, M Ward 2/9, Curtis Ellis 2/37 and Jesse Allen 2/55. The previously undefeated Scotts Head still have a chance to make the grand final if they can beat Colts this Saturday in the preliminary final.
Scotts Head is taking on the Nambucca Hotel Colts at Scotts Head in a sudden death match where the winner will play the Nambucca Hotel in the grand final, while the loser will be finished for the season.
