A mid-season T20 Cup competition introduced this season into the Peel Cricket Association (PCA) was initially met with some concern, especially amongst the more experienced players throughout the grades in the PCA. The old school thinking which is still quite prevalent throughout the Australian cricket society is that it isn’t ‘real cricket’.
Saturday’s finals day where all grades (B Grade – F Grade) played both the semi finals and grand finals of their section proved to be an outstanding success. The doubters were converts as each finals venue hosted very competitive festivals of cricket as the PCA moves into its traditional xmas/new year break. The format has engaged older players back to clubs, provided a vehicle to recruit new players to their clubs as well as create some more of a fun atmosphere at club grounds as the shorter format allowed for double header fixtures to be played at a club venue.
Finals day was competitively fought out amongst the sides who got through to this stage as the lure of a T20 Cup and premiership medallions drove players to do what they could to get through to the grand final. The B Grade T20 cup went to Halls Head who beat Mandurah by 62 runs. In Halls Head’s total of 7/134, Mitch Morley scored 63 (46) to lead the way. Mandurah could only reach 72 before being bowled out with Mitch Morley also doing the job with the ball taking 3 wickets as did bowling partner Wes Naidoo who also took 3 wickets.
The C Grade decider was played out by White Knights Baldivis and Singleton Irwinians. Batting first, the Irwinians made 9/117 with Luke Rogers top scoring with 33. White Knights bowling pair of Luke Gray and Jake McClenaghan took 3 wickets a piece. White Knights then went on to win the T20 cup by 5 wickets with club president Daniel Cole topping the scoring chart with 44 and he was assisted by 36 runs scored by Nick Pavlovic. The D Grade cup was won by Warnbro Swans CC who defeated Waroona by 8 wickets. Waroona made 124 batting first lead by Reegan Davis making 43. Warnbro’s Colby Hale bowled well taking 4/12, before his side went out and successfully chased down the total for the loss of only 2 wickets. Travis Gordon and Reece Wallace both scored 42 each to lead the Swans to victory.
The E grade final was contested by Halls Head and North Baldivis. Batting first, halls Head scored a competitive 9/126 with a late blast from Bodie Terbeeke who made 40 from only 24 balls. North Baldivis reached the required total in the last over of the contest for the loss of only 5 wickets. Jason Sibum scored 33 for the victors and he was supported by a fine 26 not out from Adam Pelham. The F Grade final was keenly contested by Singleton Irwinians and White Knights Baldivis. Batting first, the Irwinians posted a total of 9/113, lead by 23 from Garry Edwards. The Knights could only reach 9/102 at the end of the 20 over contest with Leigh Sibley scoring 17 and Michael Carpenter taking 3 wickets for Singleton as they took home the glory and the T20 title for season 22/23.