Strong chase as Cuballing score preliminary final victory with seven balls to spare over Wandering in UGSCA

Cuballing are into the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association A-grade grand final after eliminating Wandering on Saturday. The two sides met in a highly anticipated preliminary final in Wandering but it was the visitors that progressed to set up a showdown with Williams in this Saturday’s decider. Wandering made a strong start batting first, on the back of a terrific half century from Jacob Schorer. Schorer anchored the innings with 71 from 166 balls, hitting six fours and one six, as the home side reached 7-183 from their 45 overs. He got vital middle order support from Ben Sherry (21), Bailey Parsons (30) and Lewis Parsons (29). However, it was a disciplined bowling effort from Cuballing, as they limited the run scoring late in the innings. Opener Grady Francis got the vital wicket of Schorer on his way to returning 1-42 from 10 overs. Brother Brock Francis was the only multiple wicket taker for the visitors with 2-24 as their side were set 184 to win. Cuballing made a strong start with a 41-run opening stand before Bevan George fell to Sherry for nine. However, Joe Dowling and Grady Francis turned the match in Cuballing’s favour. Dowling blasted 58 from 71 balls, including three sixes, at the top of the order to complement a brilliant half century from Grady Francis. Bailey Parsons dismissed Dowling but Grady Francis continued to score freely. Despite a middle order collapse as they lost Rhett Ballard (5), Brock Francis (1), Blair Forrest (5) and Michael Moore (1) cheaply, Cuballing got home with seven balls to spare. Grady Francis finished unbeaten on 83 from 100 deliveries and a late cameo from Thomas Fleay (16no) helped Cuballing win by four wickets and progress to the grand final. Lewis Parsons fought hard all day with the ball, taking 3-31, while Bailey Parsons returned 1-36 but their side were bounced out of the finals in straight sets. In the B-grade preliminary final Harrismith emerged five-wicket winners over Cuballing. Cuballing made 7-158 batting first after half centuries from Lindsay George (76) and Kieran Landridge (50no). A strong top order display guided Harrismith to victory at home, chasing down the target in the 34th over. Captain Rohan Bilney top-scored with 53 not out and was well supported by Scott Bayley (24) and Dane Angwin (21) as they won by five wickets to set up a rematch with Dumbleyung in the grand final.