Goolwa are through to their first Great Southern Cricket Association (AEHCA) ‘A’ Grade Grand Final since the 2015/16 season after defeating Noarlunga by seven wickets in the Preliminary Final at Port Elliot yesterday. Noarlunga skipper Jason Scarff won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat first, and it was tough going for the Shoes with Jayden Crees and Josh Jones keeping things tight as Noarlunga reached drinks at 2/28 (18). Cam Bullard and Matthew Spaan joined forces to add an important 49 runs for the third wicket before Spaan departed just before the tea break. Bullard continued on to top score with 54 from 111 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x6) and at 3/96, the Shoes looked set for a score of 180+. Goolwa skipper Crees returned to the bowling crease and turned the innings on its head with three quick wickets as Noarlunga slipped to 7/117. Ben Stewart-Tonkin (20) and Travis Bronstein (10) added a valuable 28 runs for the eighth wicket before the last three wickets fell quickly to see Noarlunga bowled out for 154 in the 67th over. Crees was the standout for Goolwa with 4/41 from a marathon 24 overs. Andy Evans (1/19), Josh Jones (1/30) and James Lawrence (1/51) were the other wicket takers and there were three run-outs. 

Day two yesterday at Port Elliot was clear and warm as Goolwa set about chasing the moderate Noarlunga total and the Magpies got off to a solid start with Luke Giddings (27) and Jesse Consalvo (14) adding 30 runs for the first wicket. Jones and Giddings then put on 35 runs for the second wicket as Goolwa reached the tea break at 2/66 (36). Evans and Jones continued to deny the tight Noarlunga attack before Evans was dismissed for 11 as Goolwa reached the final drinks break at 3/99 (54), requiring a further 56 runs from 16 overs for victory. Fred Nissen replaced Evans and was very attacking from the outset as the runs flowed quickly. Jones played an excellent ‘sheet-anchor’ role for his side as he batted for more than three hours to finish with 59 not out (167 balls), while Nissen made a quickfire 31 not out (51 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 66th over. Bullard (2/34) and Jason Scarff (1/31) were the wicket takers for Noarlunga. 

‘A’ Grade Grand Final (Saturday 19/3 & Sunday 20/3)

Willunga v Goolwa (Port Elliot @ 1.00pm)