March 1, 2015
The South Burnett B Grade cricket competition is coming to the pointy end of the season with the first of the Grand Final spots being decided on Saturday.
Minor premiers Warriors took on the Kumbia Rattlers at Lyle Vidler Oval in Kingaroy; while 3rd placegetters Murgon Colts faced Kingaroy RSL at Murgon.
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In the Kingaroy match, Kumbia won the toss and chose to bat first.
The Rattlers put on a respectable target of 131 despite being bowled out in the 38th over.
But it wasn’t enough to rattle the minor premiers. Warriors made the runs in the 35th over, winning by two wickets.
Top scorers for Kumbia were Russell Holland (33), Tavis Hartwig (18) and Dayne Somers (11).
Best of the Warriors’ bowlers were Dane Bloomfield (3/22 off eight overs), Matt Nesbitt (3/19 off eight) and Hayden Wieck (2/6 off four).
In reply, Warriors finished with 8/132.
Hayden Wieck top-scored with 49.
Trevor Hansen (19) and Stewart Lavaring (12) helped Warriors reach their target.
Best of the Kumbia bowlers were Ryan Kelly (3/35 off eight overs), Chris Medcalf (2/16 off six) and Tavis Hartwig (2/21 off eight).
Warriors are now through to the B Grade Grand Final, which is scheduled to be played on March 14, but the season isn’t over for the Rattlers who get another chance to qualify next weekend.
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Murgon Colts put on a top display to defeat Kingaroy in the other B Grade Preliminary Final, played at Murgon Sportsground.
Colts were 9/112 after their 40 overs with Barry Fisher (26) top-scoring.
Also handy with the bat were Tom Langton (23), Nev Kratzmann (21) and Trent Riddell (18).
Best of the Kingaroy RSL Services’ bowlers were Brian Walters (3/8 off eight overs), Leighton Brown (2/10 off four) and Jack Hourn (2/23 off seven).
In reply, Kingaroy RSL were all out for just 69 in 31 overs.
Louis Fairbairn top-scored with 16 while Brian Walters scored 10.
Best of the Colts’ bowlers were Tom Carney (4/10 off five overs), Brad Vanderkolk (3/10 off four) and Barry Fisher (2/9 off eight).
Colts will now play the Kumbia Rattlers next Saturday (March 7) to determine the other Grand Final slot.
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A Grade are still playing their fixtures matches, and have one more round of competition to play.
Murgon Crusaders proved too good for the home team, Wondai Wolves, on Saturday.
Crusaders batted first and were all out for 183 in the 44th over.
Top scorers were Stuart Robinson (40), Jason Webber (31), Troy Dennien (22 not out) and Mark Eisenmenger (22).
Will Mewburn was the best of the Wondai bowlers (4/26 off 8.3 overs) while Matt Stumer took 2/32 off five overs.
In reply, Wondai were all out for 96 in the 33rd over.
Top scorers were Will Mewburn (21) and Matt Stumer (16 not out).
Murgon bowlers shared the glory: Stuart Robinson (3/19 off seven overs), Jared Sippel (2/3 off 1.5 overs), Graham Brown (2/17 off seven) and Tom Patton (2/28 off seven).
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At Nanango, Kingaroy RSL Services took on the Nanango Scorpions in their A Grade clash.
Kingaroy batted first and finished with 8/224 off 45 overs.
David Hosking top-scored with 69, followed by Mark Schmidt (43) and Adam Geiger (40).
Best of the Nanango bowling were Glen Doyle (2 /15 off three overs), Jason Steinhardt (2/27 off five) and Steve Kirkland (2/45 off nine).
In reply, the Scorpions were all out for 115 in the 30th over.
Top-scorers were Brendan Weil and Jason Steinhardt, both on 23, and Glen Doyle and Simon Morrow, both on 14.
Best of the Kingaroy RSL bowlers were Wayne Kelly (5/24 off seven overs), Tony Dugdell (2/27 off nine) and Alex Dempster (2/41 off nine).
Kingaroy RSL Services won by 109 runs.
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Next Sunday (March 8) South Burnett U19s will play Lockyer Valley for the Falconer Shield at Lyle Vidler Oval, Kingaroy.
Lockyer are in the shield game after they defeated Warwick by eight wickets in the Davis Shield match played at Gatton on Sunday.
