CBC, Leeming to Renew Grand Final Rivalry as Bowlers Dominate Semi-Final Weekend

CBC and Leeming will face off in the SMCA First Grade Grand Final for the first time since 2010-11 after the clubs won their respective semi-finals over the weekend.
It was a weekend dominated by the bowlers, with only two centuries scored (both in the same grade) and 17 team scores below 100 as the pressure of the occasion told across the 28 games in the SMCA competition.
CBC posted a moderate total of 9/152 against Armadale at Karoonda Oval, run machine Andrew Galbraith hitting 71 but receiving little help from his team mates.
Matthew Coates made an unbeaten 21 in a crucial 13 run last wicket stand with Andrew Wragg that would prove the winning margin in the match.
Armadale were well on top in the chase at 1-87 before a brilliant piece of fielding from Chris Pietroniro sent Demons talisman Mark Rice on his way for 51, Rice run out shortly after reaching his half century.
At 3-112 the chase seemed secure, but the pressure told and the final 7 wickets fell for 27 runs, the last two wickets both run outs as the visitors were all out for 139 in 72 overs.
Pietroniro took 3-26 to go with his fielding heroics, while Ethan Foulkes took 2-7 including the crucial scalp of Jordan Armstrong (43).
Leeming proved far too good for Cockburn at John Connell Reserve to qualify for their second consecutive Grand Final, recovering from the perils of 6-83 to post 210.
Ben Harris starred with the bat, hitting 97 as the last two wickets added 93 for the home side. Todd Gill earlier contributed 30, while Josh Pescud claimed 4-77 and Chris Scenini 3-50 for the Cavaliers.
Cockburn’s chase never got going, reduced to 7-44 before some stoic tail end batting took the score in to three figures. The visitors were eventually all out for 101, Kodie McKrill starring with the ball as he claimed 5-22, two wickets each for Joshua Foster and Ryan Jenkins.
In second grade Hilton-Palmyra brushed aside Riverton-Rostrata by 8 wickets, restricting the Rats to 9-121 after electing to bowl first, Kim and Paul Forrest with three wickets each.
Hilton secured victory by 8 wickets in just 44 overs, Angus Andrew finishing unbeaten on 38 and opener Jason Broadbridge batting through the innings to remain 28 not out. John Markham earlier made 29.
Maddington defeated Kwinana by 38 runs at Harmony Fields, the Bulls posting 129 batting first thanks to 36 from Brandon Aldersea, 26 from Ejaz Ali and 25 from Dylan Morris. Andrew Gibbs toiled hard for his 5-22 from 26 overs, Daniel Bell claiming 3-34.
Kwinana’s chase never got off the ground, all out for 91 in 43.3 overs. Alec Lacey junior claimed 4-17 and Peter Anderson finished with 3-21.
In third grade East Fremantle defeated Leeming by four wickets at Trevor Gribble Park, the home team restricted to 9-124 with Marc Dodds making 39.
Corey Olcyzk claimed 5-32 for the visitors, who secured victory in the 60th over with four wickets in hand. David Jocelyn top scored with 41, Mark Elvidge taking 3-28 for Leeming.
Cockburn’s bowlers routed CBC for just 88 at Davilak Reserve, Andrew Oreb, Brett Hoar and John Braid all claiming 3 wickets.
The chase was in some bother at 6-64, before a steadying stand took the home team to victory without further loss.
It was a bowler dominated semi-final weekend in fourth grade, with no team able to cross the three figure mark with the bat.
Kardinya Lakes won a thriller at Goodchild Reserve, despite only posting 98 batting first. Daniel Reid made 25, Nick Ratta starring with 5-39 for the Cavaliers.
7 Cockburn batsmen were back in the sheds before stumps on day one with just 56 runs on the board, the home side eventually bowled out for 89 to fall 9 runs short of victory.
Pete Hakin was the hero for Kardinya, taking 5-26 from 27.5 overs. Reid completed a fine all round game by claiming 3-19 in a memorable triumph.
Piara Waters thrashed Riverton-Rostrata at Piara Waters Oval, the teams shaking hands at stumps on day one with the Falcons in such a dominant position.
The Rats were brushed aside for 77, opener Zabin Khan the only batsman in to double figures as he made 34. It was the usual suspects getting it done for the home side, Lee Campbell taking 5-21 and Mitch Fitt snaring 3-6 from 11 overs.
The Falcons passed the visitors total for just the loss of one wicket, captain Fitt undefeated on 49 at the close of play with his side 1-84, 7 runs to the good of their deflated opponents. The match was subsequently called off, the minor premiers in to the Grand Final.
In fifth grade Jay Goddin hit 65 to lead Cockburn to a total of 172 against Kwinana at Enright Reserve, Shaun Wilson with 4-33 to be his team’s most successful bowler.
Kwinana could only muster 84 in the chase, Clint Mitchell claiming 4-21, Brendan Jones and Dan Adams each taking 3 wickets.
In one of many absorbing low scoring semi-finals, Kelmscott was bowled out for 51 against Maddington, Aaron Ryland-Adair taking 4-20 before Maddington secured victory 8 wickets down, eventually compiling a score of 65.
Kelmscott tried to force an outright result by declaring at 5-88 in their second innings, but the Bulls showed no interest in chasing the 75 they needed for an outright win, instead stonewalling to make 2-59 from 31 overs and progress to the Grand Final.
Cockburn and SJ Blues played out a low scoring thriller at South Coogee Reserve, the visitors triumphant despite only putting 63 on the board batting first.
Mitchell Ferris took 4-18 for the home side, Max Wason with three victims as the Blues were bundled out in 35 overs.
In a dramatic finish to the opening day Cockburn collapsed to be 8-28 at stumps, still 36 runs in arrears. The home side was bowled out for 42 early on the second day, conceding a 21 run first innings lead.
Bryce Shersby claimed 6-24, while Michael Elphinstone took 4-16, the only two bowlers required in the bowling innings.
Determined to achieve an outright result Cockburn took to the field for a second time, the visitors’ batsmen with a hardened resolve in their second innings, finishing 4-80 from 33 overs to secure victory.
Kenwick won the other semi-final against Maddington at Harmony Fields North, successfully chasing down 109 to book a spot in the decider.
Sent in the Bulls made 108, Simon Emery top scoring with 38. Devyansh Singh took 5-41 for the visitors to be the star with the ball, the Kenwick chase anchored by opener Daniel Jackson, who made an unbeaten 47 as his team secured a four wicket win.
In 7th grade Cockburn’s Pippo Raffaele starred with bat and ball to help his team to a 64 run victory over Jandakot Park at Edwardes Reserve, the veteran hitting 36 before claiming 5-22 with the ball as Jandakot were bowled out for 91 chasing 156.
Peter Firth top scored with 40 for the Cavaliers though before also taking 2-18 with the ball. Ronald Black took 5-47 in a lone effort with the ball for Jandakot.
Leeming was too good for Phoenix at Tempest Park, posting 191 batting first thanks to half centuries from Glenn Hack (50) and Matt Gibb (54). Bryce Legg claimed 4-33 for the home side.
Despite being 4-129 in response the innings lost it’s way as the last six wickets tumbled for 18 to hand the visitors’ victory, Jishnu Udayakumar’s 46 coming in vain for Phoenix. Mitchell Lane claimed 5-59 to be the match winner with the ball for Leeming.
Thornlie and Champion Lakes (One Day A’s), Phoenix and Hilton-Palmyra (One Day B’s), Willetton and CBC (One Day C’s), Leeming Spartan and Piara Waters (One Day D’s), Armadale and Phoenix (One Day E’s), Leeming and Willetton (One Day F’s), Kenwick and Kardinya Lakes (One Day G’s) all qualified for Grand Final weekend with wins in their respective games, Phoenix securing a spot in the E’s decider despite a thrilling tie, going through due to finishing higher on the ladder than opponents Kelmscott.
Grand Finals will be played next Saturday and Sunday, the final weekend of the SMCA season for 2017-18.
The Jim McKenna Medal count will also be held at John Connell Reserve on Tuesday night, with all clubs encouraged to attend the evening.