The Central Coast has reached the final of the McDonalds Country Cricket NSW Men’s Country Championships after winning the Southern Pool held in Orange last weekend.
Central Coast will now attempt to win the Country Championship title for the first time when they take on Newcastle at Newcastle No 1 Sportsground on December 11.
Central Coast opened their championship campaign with a convincing seven wicket win over Western Zone.
Batting first, Western got away to a good start with openers Matt Everett and Nic Broes adding 77 runs for the first wicket.
Wickets then fell regularly to the spin of Broc Hardy and Chris Archer, to see Western finish with 9/195.
Matt Everett remained unbeaten on 88.
In reply, the Coast were never troubled and cruised past in the 33rd over, Jake Hardy with 94 and Brett Russell 63no.
In the end, Central Coast 3/196 defeated Western 9/195.
Day two saw Central Coast take on fellow Day one winners Riverina and it was Riverina who came out in front winning by 67 runs.
Batting first, Riverina were dismissed for 211 in the 48th over.
Chris Galvin continued his good round one form with 48, with five other batters passing 20 but did not score.
The spinners did the damage for the Coast – Connor Haddow 3/36, Tom Owen 3/42 and Broc Hardy 2/45.
In reply Central Coast crumbled to be all out for 144, led by Ryan Brown 3/38 and Hamish Starr 2/21.
Tom Owen enjoyed a fine all round game with an unbeaten 60.
Following the loss on day two, Central Coast entered the final day needing a bonus point win over ACT and then to rely on Western to defeat the unbeaten Riverina.
Central Coast did their part by defeating ACT by 174 runs in a commanding performance.
Batting first, Central Coast finished their 50 overs on 6/275 with opener Jake Hardy leading the way with a magnificent unbeaten 122.
Callum Rainger 49 and Harry ‘bomber’ Woodhead 47 not out offered great support.
Needing to restrict ACT to 165 or less to gain the much-needed bonus point, Central Coast got off to the perfect start with Alex Patterson taking a wicket first ball.
Patterson proceeded to take two more early wickets before Conner Haddow took the ball.
The left arm spinner decimated the youthful ACT line-up taking 7/24 off 9.2 overs in a brilliant performance.
Patterson took 3/25 as ACT were dismissed for 101.
Central Coast 6/275 defeated ACT 101.
Western then defeated Riverina by 46 runs to ensure the Central Coast progressed through to the final.
Going into the final, Final Ladder: Central Coast 13, Riverina 12 (0.381), Western 12 (-0.319), ACT 0
Full scorecard: https://www.playhq.com/…/mcdonalds…/game-centre/2f4ea486
For more information or comment, contact Mr Garry Burkinshaw, CCCA Chairman on
0400 987 844.
Source:
Media release, Nov 28
Central Coast Cricket