Round Swamp won their 18th Walcha News Cup last Saturday when they defeated Kentucky by 18 runs at the Park in a close encounter that could have went either way.
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Batting after winning the toss, Swamp compiled a total of 6/186 off their 40 over’s thanks mainly to a defiant unconquered knock of 73 by their opening batsman Lachie Fletcher.
The man of the match put on a 56 runs with fellow opener Barry Hoy before the elder statesman was caught by Justin Gibson off the bowling of Greg Buckland for 29.
When Thomas Hoy was trapped LBW by Steph Sweeney for 13, Fletcher and Luke Wellings then added 60 runs before the later was caught by Adrian Walsh off Justin Gibson for 41 which included two consecutive 6s off young spinner Daniel Boyd.
The only other Swamp batsman to reach double figures was Brian Mansfield who clobbered a towering six off Kirin Walters on his way to 12.
Most successful Kentucky bowler was Sweeney who snared 3/34 off nine overs, Gibson claimed 2/22 while Buckland picked up the first wicket to fall. In reply Kentucky lost opener Bob Jex and Kristian Schmidt in the space of three deliveries both caught by Fletcher off the bowling of Wellings with 17 runs on the board.
Buckland then joined forces with Sweeney to add 62 runs for the third wicket before Sweeney had his furniture rearranged by Thomas Hoy after he reached 25.
A fourth wicket partnership between Buckland and Walters had added 41 runs to the total when Lee Harrison trapped Walters LBW for 15 and at that stage Kentucky needed 67 runs off 10 overs to win. Buckland was finally dismissed for 51 runs stumped by Barry Hoy off the bowling of the wicket keeper’s son Thomas leaving his team at 6/140 with seven over remaining.
Local sheriff Anthony Smith made 17 runs batting at number seven and Scott Wood remained 10 not out when Wellings trapped Stephen Haslem LBW to finalise the game.
Wellings finished with 4/22 and was rewarded for his effort when he received the Jim Fletcher memorial trophy for best bowling performance in the grand final.
Although a bit expensive Thomas Hoy also collected four wickets but at a cost of 59 runs off his 10 overs.
Harrison and Bill Wake were the other wicket takers. Presentations were held at the Bowling Club following their grand final.
