By Pat Kerin
The Cootamundra Bulls have advanced to their ninth final in eleven seasons following an easy win over Stockinbingal in the A grade preliminary final at Albert Park on Saturday.
The Coota side winning the toss and batting scored 8/156, Stock in reply were bowled out in the 34th over for 89.
The win by Coota sees them advance to the A Grade FINAL against Temora at Nixon Park on Saturday.
The Coota side’s batting was led by Joel Pearson, who made his best score of the season with 44 while the BULLS captain Scott Meale made 35. Oscar Roberts made 23 and Josh Purtell made 18.
Harvey Holt led the Stock attack capturing 3/23 , Nick Holt 2/18 and Lachlan Webb 2/16.
Set an imposing score of 157 on a slow outfield for victory, Stock’s batting was led by Sam Annetts with 29 and Harvey Holt 26.
Leg spinner Roy Dunk returned his second-best figures of the season, capturing 4/28 from seven overs.
The tightest bowling figures with wickets came from Josh Purtell who snared 3/19 from 8 overs, a spell that included three maidens.
While Stockinbingal were disappointed with the loss, they can look back on the last five seasons with solid performances.
2021-22- Premiers in B grade
2022-23- Preliminary Final in A grade
2023-24- Runners Up in A grade
2024-25- Runners Up in A grade
2025-26- Preliminary final A Grade
The B grade preliminary final was played at Nixon Park 2 between Temora Renegades and the Cootamundra Bulls.
The Renegades, playing a man short, compiled 9/133. Cootamundra replied 7/134.
The local side’s batting was led by Deklan Moore who made 38 Adam Swanston 22 and Charlie Watson 21.
Reid McTavish returned his best bowling figures for the season, capturing 3/24 from his 8 overs.
The evergreen Tony Reece kept the brakes on the local side, capturing 2/12 from 7 overs.
Set 134 for victory, the Coota side were in big trouble at 5/23, then a 6th wicket partnership of 34 between Mark Elia, who made 16 and Phil Gay.
The partnership that saved Cootamundra was between Phil Gay and Gus Smart. The pair added 73 runs for the 7th wicket.
Captain Phil Gay finished a fine 60 not out from 59 balls while Smart who was dismissed with four runs to win, made 13 from 33 balls.
The win by Cootamundra sees an advance to the final on Saturday against Burrangong.
The C grade preliminary final played at Tim Doolan Oval was easily the closest final.
The local side Harden were up against Criterion Bin Chickens from Young.
The Bin Chickens won the toss and elected to bowl.
At 3.10pm, the match was delayed for 27 minutes due to rain.
Harden were bowled out in the 26th over for 88. The boys from Young fell over the line needing 3 runs for the last wicket, they got the job done in the 33rd over finishing with 9/89.
Top score for Harden was Tim McFarlane with 23.
Bin Chickens captain Jacob Dodge was the pick of their bowlers, snaring 4/31, while Declan Hurcum bowled with good pace, capturing 3/22.
Declan Hurcum, who made the top score in the match and an absolute match winner scoring 32.
Harden captain Jeffery Brown was their best with the ball capturing 4/27.
Not a record, but worth a mention, 19 wickets fell in this match, but only two modes of dismissal, 13 caught and six bowled.
Bin Chickens, who had only won one on the field, but won three matches by forfeit, including the minor semi final against Boorowa now find themselves in the C grade FINAL against the Temora Shamrock Hotel.
For Harden, a disappointing end to the season as minor premiers in C grade, they go out in straight sets.
It’s a big day at Temora with five finals. Grounds and umpire appointments.
Under 13: Young Cato vs Young Renegades The Oval – Umpire Ricky Potter
Under 16- Young Cruisers vs Cootamundra at Nixon Park 1- Umpire Lincoln Macauley
C Grade- Temora Shamrock Hotel vs Criterion Bin Chickens at The Oval –Umpires Kelvin Brown and Ethan Abnett.
B Grade – Burrangong Cubs vs Cootamundra Bulls – at Nixon Park 2 – Umpires Pat Kerin and Peter Jolliffe.
A Grade- Temora Bowling Club Tigers vs Cootamundra Bulls at Nixon Park 1– Umpires Dennis Elphick and Graham Moon.
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