A VISIT to Walbundrie by Australian cricket royalty was one of many highlights for a big final round of cricket to decide finalists and positions on the ladder.
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The inaugural home and away season of Cricket Albury Wodonga Hume has been completed, with a keenly anticipated finals series starting this Saturday.
The top six was not decided until Saturday's final round, with a slight change at the top of the table and Culcairn staying in sixth.
Holbrook jumped back into top position and the minor premiership with a big win over Burrumbuttock at Holbrook.
The Brookers finished equal on points with Rand but had a slightly better percentage 1.665 to 1.599.
Rand also had a big win at Culcairn and finished second.
Despite a win by Osborne at Yerong Creek, they remained in fourth place after Walbundrie narrowly beat Henty.
This means that the first round of finals will see Holbrook at home to Culcairn, Rand hosting Walla, and Walbundrie at home to Osborne.
The three winners and highest ranked loser progress to the second week of finals, with both winners of week two playing off in the grand final.
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THERE were plenty of highlights on-and-off the field with the Walbundrie Pink Stumps Day being a huge success with more than 700 people attending.
Glenn McGrath, former Australian fast bowling legend, was in attendance and bowled the opening over for Walbundrie against Henty.
McGrath, bowling in his RM Williams boots and jeans, bowled a very tidy over to Henty openers Mark White and Tom Newton for the cost of one run.
The veteran of 124 Test matches and 563 Test wickets wooed the large crowd, signing autographs, posing for photos and enjoying plenty of chat with the adoring locals.
Walbundrie overcame a poor start to eventually post 8-168 with Damian Wardius (37), Mason Collins (31) and Jarrod Millar (28) doing best.
Henty captain White took four wickets in a great spell, while left arm quick Chris Spicer bowled an excellent opening spell to get 2-36.
The visitors put up a mighty run chase falling just 10 runs short. Needing 69 off the last 10 overs, the Swampies were a chance with Greg Schuller 57 leading the charge.
White completed an excellent game making 37, while Spicer hit out strong at the death to finish unbeaten on 22.
Nick Morris 3-30 was best for the Tigers.
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ON THE field some outstanding individual performances were achieved with two centuries among the highlight reel.
Holbrook skipper Hamish Mackinlay completed his maiden century blasting 112 as the Brookers compiled 4-248 against Burrumbuttock at Holbrook.
Walla captain Tom Simmons made his third century of the season making 102 against Lockhart.
Simmons finished with 586 runs for the season.
He, along with Mark Taylor and Chris Hutchison, will be key members of the Grasshoppers' finals' hopes that start at Rand on Saturday.
Another potential match-winner could be emerging quick Walter Paech, who destroyed Lockhart’s batting with career best figures of 7-26.
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TODD Hannam completed a fine all round season making 63 for TRYC in their loss to Osborne. Hannam finished with 550 runs and 19 wickets for the season.
Osborne, with some handy inclusions, had the perfect warm-up for finals, successfully chasing down TRYC’s competitive total of 7-161.
Nick Perryman (44 no) and Luke Richardson (35) led the way as Osborne reached its target with six overs to spare.
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RAND were very impressive in beating Culcairn and will be confident of adding to its last six straight premierships in the former Brocklesby DCA.
They routed Culcairn for just 71 with Nathan I’Anson 4-17 taking his season tally to 20. Norm Barlow top scored for Lions with 32.
Rand chased down the runs in 25 overs with Blake Lieschke top scoring with an unbeaten 25.
Dai Jenkins bowled well to finish with just 11 runs off his six overs.
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HOLBROOK'S season high total was highlighted by an opening stand of 140 between Mackinlay (112) and Corey McCarthy (73).
Burrumbuttock, who had just eight players, bowled quiet well but with so many gaps in the field they were fighting a losing battle. Trent I’Anson was the pick of the bowlers.
The home side increased its percentage by bowling the Swans out for 59 with Andrew Mackinlay taking 4-30, while Eddie Edlinger gave up just one run in his four over stint.
WEEK ONE FINALS
- Holbrook (1) v Culcairn (6)
- Rand (2) v Walla (5)
- Walbundrie (3) v Osborne (4)
- Note – three winners and highest ranked loser progress to week two finals.