Scott Meale [left] and Liam Hamilton after their 2nd wicket partnership of 199 against Grenfell at Lawson Park on Saturday 7 February 2026.
In what is possibly the highest score in South West Slopes Cricket League’s eleven season history, Cootamundra batsman Liam Hamilton has blasted 186 not out as the Cootamundra easily accounted for Grenfell in the A grade fixture at Lawson Park.
Hamilton’s innings saw Cootamundra amass the highest score in A grade this season, finishing with 3/351 from 40 overs. Grenfell were bowled out in the 22nd over for 102.
Grenfell’s bowlers did not help the situation bowling 32 wides.
Scott Meale, the Cootamundra captain, won the toss and was going to bat, a big score always on the cards as Lawson Park outfield suffered badly from the broken down irrigation system and hardly any rain over the past two months.
After Cootamundra opener Joey Paal was clean bowled by Henry Mitton for 23, it saw the arrival of Liam Hamilton to the crease.
The two left handers, Hamilton and Meale added 199 runs for the 2nd wicket. Meale was happy to play the sheet ancher role in scoring 54.
At the first drinks break 13 overs, Cootamundra were 1/98, the second drinks break 26 overs, 1/192. That means they scored 159 runs in the final 14 overs.
21-year-old Hamilton showed his class and only gave one chance when he was dropped on the last ball of the innings near the long on boundary on 184. He struck 26 fours and five sixes.
“I didn’t realise I was that close to the double 100,” he said.
“If I knew it was that close, I would have went a bit harder in the last two overs.”
Grenfell would be sick of seeing Hamilton bat as by round four at the same venue, he scored 77 not out. It means in two innings against Grenfell, Hamilton has made 263 runs without being dismissed.
Henry Mitton was the only Grenfell batsman to show any form, top scoring with 29.
According to Hamilton, the match against Grenfell showed a handy side.
“We didn’t hustle them really, they had one bowler missing, but it could have gone either way, depending on the day,” he said.
Hitting “four or five sixes as well”, Hamilton said he had to concentrate hard on each ball after battling the wind and dry conditions.
“Seeing them wasn’t too bad,” he said. “If you watched them ball by ball and not get too far ahead of yourself, it worked out pretty quick… You obviously took your time and respected each ball.”
Bowling honours were evenly shared for Cootamundra. Joel Pearson captured 3/32 and Josh Purtell 3/40.
The win by Cootamundra ensures they will finish as minor premiers – and will host the major semi-final at Albert Park on February 28.
Despite their loss, Grenfell will need to win one of their two remaining matches to nail down the second spot on the ladder.
In the other A-grade match at Nixon Park, Temora kept their finals chances alive with a solid win over Junee.
Batting first, Temora were in all sorts crashing to be 6/27, they then recovered to make a competitive score of 9/170. Junee were bowled in the 30th over for 129.
The rescue for Temora came from James Goode with 56 and Josh McGregor 28 not out, the pair added 60 valuable runs for the 9th wicket.
Going unrewarded in this match was Junee’s opening bowler Will McGrath who captured 5/11 from eight overs.
The loss for Junee means they have to defeat Stockinbingal on Friday night as they have the bye in the final round.
A Grade ladder
75- Cootamundra
55- Grenfell
55- Junee
51- Temora
47- Stockinbingal
Draw for round 15
Stockinbingal vs Junee at Fisher Park Friday night 6.00pm T 20
Temora vs Grenfell at Nixon Park 1
Cootamundra bye
The B grade on Saturday saw a career best score of 175 not out by Murringo captain Peter Jolliffe. His innings saw Murringo make the highest score of the season 8/375 against Grenfell at Gus Smith one. Grenfell replied with 8/144.
Burrangong moved into third spot scoring 8/322 a win on Duck Worth Lewis as Boorowa finished with 9/152.
Temora Renegades 6/79 defeated Cootamundra 78.
Temora Leprechauns struggled but got home against Bribbaree who made 50, The Leprechauns finished 8/51.
In the final match, Temora Tigers proved too strong for Criterion Bin Chickens. The Tigers made 9/212 and then routed Bin Chicken for just 86.
B Grade ladder
79- Temora Tigers
79- Temora Renegades
73- Burrangong
70- Harden
69- Cootamundra
58- Temora Leprechauns
54- Boorowa
53- Murringo
48- Bribbaree
48- Criterion Bin Chicken
44- Grenfell
Draw for Round 15
Temora Tigers vs Cootamundra at Nixon Park 1 Friday night 6.00pm
Bribbaree vs Harden at Bribbaree Cricket Ground
Murringo vs Burrangong at Cranfield Oval
Temora Renegades vs Temora Leprechauns Nixon Park 2
Grenfell vs Criterion Bin Chicken at Lawson Park
Boorowa bye
– Pat Kerin
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