GAMESTA Panthers easily accounted for Workers Gol Gol in the 2011 Global Water Willowfest Australian Cricket Championships Cup Grade final at
Mildura Senior College Oval yesterday.
The Panthers never looked troubled in their quest to chase down the under par total of 112 posted by Workers; cruising to a six-wicket win.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Workers got away to a solid start before Leigh Thomson-Mathews skied one off Shane Trinick to give the Panthers their first wicket with the score on 26.
Through some disciplined bowling, the Panthers were able to dry up the scoring and make life difficult for the Workers’ batsmen. Glenn Motschall was introduced into the attack with immediate effect; removing key players Nick Carroll and David Hogarth within three overs to have Workers stumbling at drinks.
Opener Levi Thomson-Mathews was continuing on with the fine form that had seen him be the mainstay of the Workers Gol Gol batting lineup throughout the tournament, but when he was removed by Michael Sanderson for 19, the Panthers were well and truly in the box seat.
Motschall continued to cause serious headaches for the batsmen, and he soon claimed his fifth wicket when he had Aiden Calarco caught behind off the glove with Workers Gol Gol in disarray at 7/71.
Simon Groves attempted to revive the innings with a busy 22, but without significant support down the other end, Workers faltered to 112 all out.
Motschall was superb with the ball; claiming 5/27 off 10 overs, and he was well supported by Michael Sanderson and Shane Trinick who each claimed two wickets.
In reply, Tarek Moughanie and Glenn Courts set about finishing the job as quickly as possible with several early boundaries. Moughanie fell for 15 from the bowling of Luke Stafford, but Sam Skinner came to the crease and immediately looked in good touch will some powerful drives.
Courts and Skinner were doing it easy before Calarco took advantage of some lazy running to remove Courts with a direct hit for 29, which sparked a mini collapse .
Workers claimed two quick wickets to make a game out of nothing, but it proved to be a mere blimp on the radar as John Kent steered his side home with 23 not out to give the Panthers yet another Willowfest title.
In the other grades, Kangarilla and Coomealla Wentworth each claimed back-to-back titles in the A and B Grade competitions respectively, while the Johnnie Walker XI took out the C Grade trophy.
In the Ladies’ competition, the Mallee Murray Heat took the honours by one run against the Brighton Beasts after the final came down to the last ball of the day.
