It was a weekend of contrasting emotions for the Cootamundra Ex-Services Club Bulls in the South West Slopes Cricket League (SWSCL) T20 competition.
The 2nd Grade side delivered a clinical performance to claim the B Grade title, while the 1st Grade team fought valiantly but fell agonisingly short in a tense, low-scoring decider against arch-rivals Grenfell Blues.
2nd Grade Bulls Storm to B Grade Glory with Batting and Bowling Masterclass
At a sun-drenched Clarke Oval, the Cootamundra Ex-Services Club Bulls 2nd Grade team produced a commanding display to dismantle the Grenfell Blues and lift the B Grade trophy.
Batting fireworks from the Bulls set the tone. Opener Aaron Lewis fell just one run short of a deserved century, blasting 99 off only 58 balls in a breathtaking innings laced with 11 boundaries and 3 sixes. His aggression propelled the Bulls to an imposing 6/176 in their 20 overs.
The Grenfell chase never gained momentum against tight, disciplined bowling. Tony Reece was the destroyer-in-chief, ripping through the top order with figures of 3/11 from his four overs (economy 2.75), superbly backed by Benjamin Randall’s 3-wicket haul. Only Gabriel Amezroz (28*) and a quickfire 19 from Angus Taylor (off 11 balls) provided any real resistance as the Blues slumped to 9/95 — falling 81 runs short in a comprehensive victory.
1st Grade Bulls Edged Out in Nail-Biting Thriller
Over at the picturesque Albert Park, the 1st Grade decider lived up to its billing as a low-scoring arm-wrestle, with Grenfell Blues prevailing by 30 runs in a match that ebbed and flowed until the final overs.
Winning the toss and batting first, Grenfell posted a competitive but gettable 7/110. Bulls skipper Joel Pearson led from the front with 2 wickets, while Josh Purtell claimed 3 and Riley Meale chipped in with 2. Blues captain Bailey Edwards provided the backbone with a gritty 42. The Bulls’ reply started steadily but unravelled against relentless pressure bowling.
Paul Bean top-scored with a fighting 16, but regular wickets stalled the momentum, with contributions from the middle order (includ-ing cameos from Pearson and Meale) unable to spark a revival. The innings closed at 9/80.
Edwards was the undeniable star with the ball, tearing through the Bulls lineup for a sensational 6/16 off four overs — an economy of just 4.00 that earned him Player of the Match honours in a captain’s performance for the ages.
Despite the 1st Grade disappointment, the Cootamundra Ex-Services Club Bulls can reflect proudly on a successful weekend, with the 2nd Grade triumph delivering well-deserved silverware and highlighting the depth of talent emerging at the club.
– Tully Potts
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