Marist's thrilling 2nd grade preliminary final win over Colts books them a grand final rematch with Collie

Marist have booked a grand final showdown with Collie for the second year in a row in the BDCA second grade after a thrilling preliminary final victory over Colts. An undermanned Colts side led by stand-in skipper Paul Jones won the toss and elected to bat first, but lost Declan Boston with just the fourth ball to put them on the back foot early. In the absence of prolific run-scorers Caillin Blackwood, Jaysen Miguel and Christian Pitcher, the new-look Colts order did what they could to keep the Marist bowlers at bay. Paul Buswell and Morgan Baxter combined for 52 runs, and Luke Hutchinson (35 off 37) tried to keep the runs ticking over, but some stellar bowling from Joshua Bradbury (5-47) meant Marist were never out of the contest. Joe Barningham strode to the crease with the score at 6-108 and combined with Bryn Bursill for a 79-run partnership which gave the Colts bowlers something to work with. Set 211 for victory, Marist lost Cole Sawyer early, but Sam Roots and Lee Sorfleet helped to steady things for the home side. A mini-collapse of 3-6 left the game in the balance with Marist at 4-69. But an 84-run stand between skipper Blaze Rosinski and Jordan Stynes put Marist back in control. Rosinski was then run out in a mix-up, and Colts claimed another two wickets, but it wasn’t enough as Stynes held strong to lead his side to a three-wicket win, finishing on 79 not out. The win means Marist will head to Collie on Saturday for a shot at premiership redemption after losing to them by four wickets in last year’s grand final.