Thevenard won through to a fourth consecutive Far West cricket grand final on a blistering Saturday afternoon at Piednippie, ending Steaky Bay’s hopes of a three-peat in the process as the Magpies sweated out a 12-run defeat of the reigning premiers.
Thevy are now set to lock horns with crosstown rival Ceduna in this weekend’s big dance, where the Eagles will be itching to continue Thevy’s recent losing streak in grand finals.
Streaky Bay 10/173 def by Thevenard 3/185
Led by a true captain’s knock of 81 not out by Thevenard skipper Lachlan Wilkins, the Magpies took the Bears down in 40-degree-plus conditions on a dry, windswept Piednippie deck.
In what became his best knock against Streaky, Wilkins joined former Thevenard captain Josh Threadgold at the crease with their lads 2/34 after 12 of the innings’ 35 allotted overs were completed and with the game tense and drawn about even.
But as Wilkins and Threadgold (51) set about their business and batted exceptionally for a 100-run third wicket partnership, the Magpies began to take the upper hand.
With both Wilkins and Threadgold batting exactly as the reduced overs preliminary final occasion demanded, the Magpies moved to 134 for the loss of two wickets, with five overs remaining.
The last five overs were sure to be pivotal in the makeup of the match and when Threadgold was run out in the 31st over, it looked as though Streaky may well take the ascendency into the change of innings.
But with Piednippie’s dead outfield running as fast as any, Streaky’s light-on bowling attack tiring in the heat and with Wilkins’ eye in, Thevenard put on a match-winning 51 across the last five overs.
Jacob Grills (24 not out) cashed in on some tiresome, average bowling to play an important cameo at the death, while Wilkins smacked two fours and a six off the last over to give Thevenard the momentum – and a large total to defend – as the innings swapped hands.
In pursuit of 187 from 35 overs for a place in the grand final, Streaky’s 2/47 at the 12-over mark was tracking ahead of Thevenard’s 2/34 at the same marker.
With Thevy no doubt to grow weary in the field, which was being baked under day two of the EP heatwave, Streaky were in with a shot at the victory target.
Opener Nick Schumann (51) anchored the innings in tough conditions, but with wickets falling around him the Bears were soon 6/113 and needing to score at 10 an over from the final eight.
Joseph McInnis (18 off about five balls) gave the locals something to cheer about and a little hope.
Darren Brown did the same, clubbing 38 from roughly 18 deliveries to give Streaky a sniff, with the Bears needing 15 from the final over.
But it was not to be, with Thevenard – after having its noses in front for much of the day – proving too good for Streaky.
Left-armer Jonty Woods (3/25) came on at first change and was the pick of the Thevenard attack, while spinner Brody Skinner (2/30) also claimed multiple scalps through the middle overs.
Allrounder Jarrad Trowbridge is expected to return for Thevenard in time for this Saturday’s premiership decider at Ceduna, which is sure to be an entertaining encounter.
