Thirty minutes of mayhem: Bulls decimate Hawks in historic grand final

THIRTY minutes of mayhem.

That was all it took for Cowaramup’s international bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile to destroy Margaret River’s batting in the A-Grade cricket grand final at Gloucester Park on Saturday.

In a performance that will be remembered forever by all who saw it, Hawks were decimated to an incredible scoreline of 8-11 at one point of the grand final, in response to Cowaramup’s total of 150 all out.

Coulter-Nile skittled the top order with 5-5 in four overs, including two caught-and-bowled, in an amazing display of fast bowling while brothers Connor Oates (3-6 off eight overs) and Fraser Oates (2-5) joined in the fun.

Cowaramup skipper Archer Coates – who held three brilliant gully catches for his team – invoked the mercy rule by bringing on young Ben Cook for a few overs, which allowed Hawks to escape to total 35 before their final wicket fell in the 18th over, thus sealing Cowaramup only second ever Barnard Cup premiership in the Busselton-Margaret River A-Grade competition.

Coulter-Nile’s ferocious display on Saturday was rated by onlookers as probably the quickest bowling ever seen in the history of the local league.

It was hardly fair to see an Australian fast bowler at full pace against mortal park cricketers, but it was great fun to watch.

Earlier, Bulls openers Aayush Patel (60) and Josh Curtis (25) got Cowaramup away to an excellent start of 70 before the first wicket of the match fell.

The introduction of left-arm spinner Rumesh Silva in the 21 st over brought immediate results for Hawks, with the competition’s leading wicket-taker going on to grab 4-11 off 10 overs to get his team back into the game.

Grant Garstone (3-38) and Peter Crimp (2-30) also did well with the ball, as Margaret River held hopes of containing Cowaramup to a chase-able total. No one could have suspected the game would go on to end in such a mismatch.

Meanwhile, the B-Grade grand final on the adjacent ground saw Dunsborough defeat Yallingup-Oddbods thanks to a solo display of big hitting from opener Ben Cadd (103 off 90 balls) for the winning side.

Cadd’s innings comprised 58 per cent of Dunsborough’s total of 178, which proved enough as YOBS responded with a valiant 135, skipper Tom Payne hitting 40 runs.

Max Byrne and Robbie Lorrimar (three wickets each for YOBS) and Zachary Willmott (4-26 for Dunsborough) were the leading bowlers.

It was Cam Morris’s second Barnard Shield premiership as Dunsborough skipper in the space of four years.

The C-Grade grand final on the Nippers Oval saw Vasse complete a memorable finals performance, coming from fourth place to win the flag and claim the Penfold Shield, thanks to successive wins in the elimination final, preliminary final and grand final.

Batting first against Dunsborough Blue, Vasse totalled 9-151 from their 40 overs with Matt Enright (40) and skipper Nathan Whitfield (35) getting their side away to a 70-run opening stand.

Ashton McCarthy (3-24) led the bowling for Dunsborough Blue, who responded with 123 all out, Paul McCarthy (38) and Ian Purcell and Clayton South (22 runs each) fighting hard for their side.

Tye Denton (4-24) was the outstanding bowler for Vasse, while Oli Whitfield and Mahesh Uragala also both claimed two cheap wickets each.

Man of the match glass mugs in the grand finals were awarded to Nathan Coulter-Nile (Cowaramup), Ben Cadd (Dunsborough) and Tye Denton (Vasse).

All clubs and supporters are encouraged to attend the BMRCA’s official windup and trophy presentation at Barnard Park on Saturday, April 5.