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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Chris Murray (52) led the way with the willow with a patient half century, while Nathan Holz was slightly more aggressive in his 42.<\/p>\n
Connor Thomson (34), Patrick Andrews (18) and Jace Lawson (13no) all contributed, too.<\/p>\n
Isaac Barry took regular wickets for the home side, finishing with his team\u2019s best figures of 4-42 off eight, with Brandon Carman (2-25 off 8) proving difficult to get away.<\/p>\n
The match always remained in the balance in reply.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Greta-Branxton bowlers kept things tight for the next 10, nudging the required run rate up to eight an over.<\/p>\n
Crucial wickets for the Singleton heavyweights fell when Isaac Barry holed out in the deep for a well-made 54.<\/p>\n
Then, when skipper Alex Stafa departed after a dreadful mix-up saw him run out for 68, the ascendency tilted in the Blues\u2019 favour slightly.<\/p>\n
Valley\/JPC required 24 off the final two overs\u2026 and 17 off the last of the showdown.<\/p>\n
Andrews was the man for the job for Greta-Branxton.<\/p>\n
As was the case in the 2023\/24 decider, he put the match out of Valley\/JPC\u2019s reach by picking up consecutive wickets with his fourth and fifth deliveries.<\/p>\n
He finished with 2-40 off his eight overs, with Thomson (2-49 off 8) also picking up a brace of wickets.<\/p>\n
Ross Parker was the other Valley\/JPC batsman to make a dent with 22.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the combined CDCA and SDCA junior and senior presentations is taking place at Club Singleton on the night of Saturday 9 May.<\/p>\n
Ticket information will be communicated to all clubs in coming weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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