By Casey O'Connor
Prior to the start of the 2021 cricket season, the Stanthorpe Cricket Association changed the format of their competition with a short 20/20 competition opening the season and the 20/20 grand final to be played prior to a full a series of two-day games.
After two failed attempts due to rain cancellations Wanderers and Valleys finally faced off on Friday night in the Stanthorpe Cricket Association’s inaugural 20/20 grand final at the CF White Oval. What a thrilling contest it turned out to be.
With the newly minted Lanza Family trophy on the line, Valleys won the toss and sent Wanderers in on a CF White turf wicket that has not seen much cricket this season.
Openers Aiden Halford (2) and Andrew Einam (6) found themselves back in the clubhouse after a very short stint at the wicket. It was 2/9 when Mitch Darton joined Jamie Carnell in the middle. The pair steadied the ship taking the score to 39 before Darton was bowled by Chris Perry for 17.
The fall of wicket brought Tim Harslett and the experience of he and Carnell showed as they put together a 51-run partnership. Tim Harslett was dismissed for 20 in the 17th over, caught behind by Valleys keeper Sam Scalia off a Damian Anderson delivery. Harslett’s 20 runs coming off just 22 deliveries.
Carnell went on to finish undefeated on 47. Carnell’s knock was the cornerstone of the Wanderers innings. His 47 runs coming off as many deliveries and included two boundaries and a six. The other not out batsman was Brendan Barker (9). After a shaky start Wanderers had set Valleys a target of 117. Not an easy get in the conditions
The run chase by Valleys was a thriller.
A solid 38 run opening partnership between Chris Perry and Sam Scalia set a great platform for Valleys. The first wicket to fall was that of Perry (18). He was caught by Rohan Brady off the bowling of Barry Bulow.
The fall of wicket brought Valley’s captain Damian Anderson to the middle. Anderson and Scalia moved the score to 91. With three overs remaining, Andrew Einam knocked over Scalia. The equation put simply; Valleys required 27 runs off the next 19 deliveries for victory.
Anderson was joined by Jye Wallis in the middle and he (Anderson) unleashed in the 18th over smacking consecutive deliveries from Brendan Barker for four, six and another four. At the end of the 18th over the score was 2/109. Nine runs from the last two overs did not look to be a big impost – Valleys needed to hold their nerve, not loose wickets and needed to get Damian Anderson back on strike. There was always going to be a twist in the tail of this game.
Tim Harslett had Wallis caught behind by Halford for one in the 19th over. Wallis was followed back to the clubhouse by Stefanon in a repeat performance bowled Harslett caught Halford for a duck on the last ball of the 19th over.
Score 4/112, that brought Brian Carmichael to the wicket. Six balls remaining six to win. Carmichael faced three deliveries before Jamie Carnell cleaned up his stumps. With three deliveries remaining and four runs required the game could have gone either way.
Valleys experienced pair, Anthony Coup and Anderson guided Valleys to a win with Anderson hitting the winning run off the final ball of the innings.
Congratulations to both teams, it was an enthralling game and a worthy grand final. Valleys winning the 20/20 GF and the inaugural Lanza Family trophy.
