Colts beat Riv to make Hay Cricket’s grand final

Jensen Hargreaves batting for South Hay Colts in a tough game for a stake in the grand finals next weekend.

The Riverine Grazier photographer Margie McClelland was there to capture the moment, showing wicketkeeper for Riv, Sam Jones and bowler Bill Auldist in action.

By Mike Cattanach

South Hay Colts had a tough win over the Riverina Hotel side on Saturday to earn the right to play South Hay Crusaders in this Saturday's Grand Final.

Winning the toss, Riv skipper chose to bat on a pitch that was hard but had a little bit for the bowlers.

The decision looked a good one when Liam Whitbourne lured a false shot from Tim Zambon and Jason Aylett took a good catch at mid-off without a run on the board.

This brought Jensen Hargreaves and Rupert Lilburne together and the two of them toughed it out against some quality bowling from Liam and Billy Auldist, as they ground out 24 runs into the 10th over.

At that point, Bill bowled Jensen with a ball that jagged back from the off, bringing Jack Cattanach to the crease.

He and Rupert pushed the score to 2 for 44 at the 15 over half-way drinks break, with the game evenly balanced.

Soon after drinks Sam Marshall got Rupert through a sharp catch by Bill Auldist at mid-on, with Rupert departing for a well-made 34.

This brought Jack and Monte Barnes together and over the next 10 overs, starting steadily and then accelerating, they put on a crucial 54 run partnership that pushed the Colts score to a competitive total.

Monte was trapped lbw in the second last over by Liam Whitbourne for 20 off 28 balls and Jack fell to a catch from Jesse Thomson in the last over of the innings for 49 off 56 balls.

At the end of their 30 overs, the Colts had reached a competitive total of 5 for 123, and with a slow outfield, a total larger than it looked.

In reply the Riv opening bats Liam Whitbourne and Dean Aylett were good early, getting the total to 23 without loss after 8 overs.

However, the introduction of Isaac Gardiner changed the momentum of the match, as he picked up Liam caught behind before getting Dean caught at short mid-wicket.

Bowling in partnership with Jack Cattanach, nine overs yielded only 10 runs for the Riv, as they found themselves 2 for 33 after 17 overs.

The return of Josh Gardiner to bowl with Isaac saw the brothers rip the heart of the Riv middle order as they lost six wickets for the addition of 10 runs in four overs.

Isaac, virtually unplayable, picked up four wickets for five runs in 6 overs of excellent off spin.

Josh picked up four wickets of his own with his left arm mediums targeting the stumps.

Despite some resistance from Dan Jamieson, the final two wickets were taken by Cooper Scott and Ned Williamson as the Riv were bowled out for 58 in the 25th over.

The Colts ran out victors and now have the job of taking on the Crusaders in what promises to be a good battle in the Grand Final next Saturday afternoon.

South Hay Colts 5/123 (J Cattanach 49, R Lilburne 34, M Barnes 20, L Whitbourne 2/14) defeated Riverina Hotel 58 all out (D Aylett 14, L Whitbourne 10, I Gardiner 4/5, J Gardiner 4/19).