BDCA storm into finals of Country Cup

The Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association has advanced to the finals of the Toyota Country Cup Twenty20 competition after defeating the Busselton-Margaret River and Peel cricket associations on Sunday in Dunsborough.

The qualifying games started with a final ball thriller, as the BDCA chased down the hosts’ total of 7/126 in the last ball of their innings.

Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a solid total thanks to opener Danny Hatton, who top-scored with 65 from 45 deliveries.

First drop Ben Clarke scored 21 to provide support, but not enough batsmen got starts, which meant the hosts posted a modest total.

BDCA skipper Jono Whitney opened with spinner Joe Barningham, which worked well, as he dismissed Clarke and Haig Colombera (0) in two balls.

Marist seamer Chris Laker also took two wickets to finish with figures of 2-15 off four overs, while Paul Jones and Tom Buchanan affected two run-outs as the BDCA kept control.

The BDCA chased down the total with nine wickets in hand, but lost powerful opener James Hillery to injury when he was on 22.

Rodney Shemeld was bowled by Adam Holt (1-9 off four overs) when the score was on 55, but solid innings from Whitney (29 not out off 32 deliveries) and Buchanan (40 not out off 35 balls) got the BDCA their first victory.

The BDCA then had to back-up straight away, taking on the Peel Cricket Association, who won the toss and elected to bat.

Opener Brad Holmes took control of the match, scoring a fine 78 from 49 balls, which included six fours and six sixes.

But he had little in the way of partners, as six BDCA bowlers took wickets.

Barningham (1-29 off four overs) and Liam Renton (1-28 off four overs) were the best for the BDCA with the ball.

But it was not enough to restrict Peel, who put up a powerful total of 7/172 from their 20 overs.

With the BDCA needing quick runs, things started poorly when Shemeld was dismissed for a duck.

But Laker (69 not out) and Buchanan (37) combined for a 78 partnership, before Whitney entered the frame, belting a quick-fire 53 off 21 deliveries, which included seven sixes. Holmes eventually dismissed the skipper, but it was too little too late, with just seven runs needed for victory.

Jones partnered Laker, with the pair passing the total in the 18th over to give the BDCA a seven-wicket victory.