Little did the Young Blues and Young Criterion Hotel Coyotes know they would be playing each other so often during their debut season in the Cowra district cricket competition.
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This weekend’s Sportspower Cup grand final will see the two sides from the Cherry Capital meet for the third time in four weeks and in total the sixth encounter they have had this season, including Twenty20 matches.
After Saturday’s low scoring preliminary final, the Blues will have a chance to gain revenge on the Coyotes who won bragging rights earlier in the season in the Doug Wright Shield final.
The Blues confirmed the rematch with a ruthless bowling performance led by a Josh Platt (5-10) man of the match performance with the ball.
The chase wasn’t quite so convincing for the Blues losing six wickets on the way to the required 87, 37 of which were contributed by Platt.
The Blues’ victory means the two top sides from the regular season will meet in the final after the Coyotes confirmed the minor premiership during the final round just over a fortnight ago.
Played at Cranfield Oval on Saturday, Morongla were in control early at 1-61 but the loss of representative players Conor Crook (27) and Cam Edgar (29) in quick succession led to the lone Cowra side being bowled out for 86.
Jacob McNaught (10) was the only other batsman to score a worthy contribution as the middle to lower order showed no resistance to Platt who continued his mean streak with the ball returning incredible figures of 5-10 off eight overs.
Brendan Croese finished with 2-7 to be the only other multiple wicket-taker.
In reply the victory was not as comfortable as the Blues would of liked limping to 89 off 20-overs.
Jacob McNaught along with brother Sam began the defence in perfect fashion removing openers Jonte Powederly (0) and Brendan Croese (2) respectively.
A further four wickets fell, three claimed by Morongla’s promising young leg-spinner Angus McFarland who returned figures of 3-35 off six.
Josh Platt (37) did the majority of the damage as Nick Corbett (18 not out) ensured the Blues would feature in this season’s final.
Jacob McNaught, along with McFarland, picked up multiple scalps finishing with 2-20 off seven when the Blues passed 86.
This Saturday the Blues will take on the Coyotes for the Sportspower Cup trophy at Alfred Oval while in the second grade competition Grenfell got the better of Morongla and will meet minor premiers Wyangala at Holman.
Morongla versus Young Blues in the Sportspower Cup semi final
Morongla
C Edgar c Platt b Z Williams 29
B Rose c and b H Williams 5
C Crook b J Platt 27
A Edgar b J Platt 3
A McFarland run out (Broderick) 3
J McNaught c Lucas b Platt 10
J Proctor LBW b Platt 3
S McNaught b J Platt 0
B Wright LBW b Croese 0
G Watt c Platt b Croese 0
T Lamond not out 0
Sundries 6
Total 86
BOWLING: H Wiliiams 1-31; N Corbett 0-18; Z Williams 1-18; J Platt 5-10; B Croese 2-7.
Blues
J Powderly b J McNaught 0
B Croese c Crook b S McNaught 2
M Broderick c Crook b A McFarland 8
J Platt b J McNaught 37
N Corbett not out 18
L Cosgrove c J McNaught b McFarland 1
Z Williams c J McNaught b McFarland
C Jones not out 6
Sundries 7
Total 6-89
BOWLING: J McNaught 2-20; S McNaught 1-33; A McFarland 3-35.
Blues win by four wickets.