Greta-Branxton United Cricket Club claimed its seventh first grade title when it overcame minor premiers Valley/JPC by 10 runs in a cliff-hanging decider at Howe Park.

The Coalfields Cup returned to the Blues for the third time in their six-year history, reversing the trend of their heartbreaking two-run loss to the same opponents at the same venue three seasons ago.

Greta-Branxton skipper Joey Butler won the toss and elected to bat, with the visitors overcoming a shaky start to post what was believed to be a par score 8-211 from their 40 overs.

Chris Murray (52) led the way with the willow with a patient half century, while Nathan Holz was slightly more aggressive in his 42.

Connor Thomson (34), Patrick Andrews (18) and Jace Lawson (13no) all contributed, too.

Isaac Barry took regular wickets for the home side, finishing with his team’s best figures of 4-42 off eight, with Brandon Carman (2-25 off 8) proving difficult to get away.

The match always remained in the balance in reply.

And, at the halfway point in the innings, the minor premiers required 130 from the final 20 overs of the season with still eight wickets in the sheds.

The Greta-Branxton bowlers kept things tight for the next 10, nudging the required run rate up to eight an over.

Crucial wickets for the Singleton heavyweights fell when Isaac Barry holed out in the deep for a well-made 54.

Then, when skipper Alex Stafa departed after a dreadful mix-up saw him run out for 68, the ascendency tilted in the Blues’ favour slightly.

Valley/JPC required 24 off the final two overs… and 17 off the last of the showdown.

Andrews was the man for the job for Greta-Branxton.

As was the case in the 2023/24 decider, he put the match out of Valley/JPC’s reach by picking up consecutive wickets with his fourth and fifth deliveries.

He finished with 2-40 off his eight overs, with Thomson (2-49 off 8) also picking up a brace of wickets.

Ross Parker was the other Valley/JPC batsman to make a dent with 22.

The tightness of the fixture between these two great rivals was a fitting end to what has been a great season in the top grade.

Greta-Branxton finally got the monkey off its back by defeating Valley/JPC for the first time ever on Singleton soil in the six-year history of the competition.   

Meanwhile, the combined CDCA and SDCA junior and senior presentations is taking place at Club Singleton on the night of Saturday 9 May.

Ticket information will be communicated to all clubs in coming weeks. 

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