Great Southern Cricket Association down Bunbury and Districts to win D-section title at senior country week

Great Southern Cricket Association claimed an impressive country week title after a superb performance in D-section across the week-long competition in Perth. The second XI recovered from a heavy defeat against Esperance 2 on Monday to reach Thursday’s semifinals. Great Southern emerged seven-run winners against Fortescue in a close semifinal to set up a grand final showdown with Bunbury and Districts 4 at Alan Edwards Park on Friday. They produced a resounding all-round performance in the decider, finishing six-wicket winners to seal a memorable country week title. Bunbury and Districts won the toss and batted first but slumped to 3-4 after the early brilliance of Logan Lubcke. Lubcke snared George Papas, Anthony Hutt and Phillip Ghasseb all for ducks to leave Bunbury and Districts reeling. Opener Clem Neill steadied the innings and shared in a 70-run stand with Stuart Hayward before Arthur Liddiard struck. Hayward was out for 19 but Norman Bedford (20) provided vital middle order support as Neill continued to score freely at the other end. Great Southern continued to take wickets however, and Neill was the last man out after reaching a deserved century. Neill was run out for 104 from 144 balls, hitting 14 fours and one six in his 215-minute innings. Lubcke was superb with the ball, taking 4-30 from 11.3 overs, while Elijah Quartermaine chipped in with 2-27 from eight overs as they bowled Bunbury and Districts out for 187. A 55-run opening stand from Daniel Nazzari and Lachlan Bradshaw set the tone for Great Southern in the chase. Nazzari departed for 40 from 46 deliveries before Bradshaw was caught on 12 and Devon Cristinelli managed only five to leave their side at 3-60. Shane Willmott ground out a tough 33no from 78 balls to play a support role alongside Quartermaine (46) and Brock Green (45no) as Great Southern secured grand final glory. Great Southern reached the target in the 48th over. Last Thursday, Great Southern defended just 102 against Fortescue in the semifinal at Hamer Park. Willmott topscored with 34 but lacked middle-order support. However, Great Southern responded with a terrific effort with the ball, led by Lubcke with 3-30 off eight overs. Ryan Sinclair (2-7) and Quartermaine (1-24) also played important roles. Great Southern finished second in their pool standings after an 11-run win over Warren Blackwood 2 on Wednesday. Cristinelli (46), Quartermaine (43) and Liddiard (36no) made strong contributions to Great Southern, which reached 9-239. Again it was Lubcke who starred with the ball, taking 4-54 as they bowled their rivals out for 228. Cristinelli was Great Southern’s leading country week run scorer with 132 at an average of 26.4. Lubcke snared 12 country week wickets to lead the way for his side with the ball.