By Ian Ferguson
KILCUNDABass broke its 10year premiership drought with a fighting Bgrade flag win against Nyora at the weekend.
The Sharks elected to bat first at the Pakenham numbertwo oval on Saturday after rain delayed the start of play by 30 minutes.
Nyora opening bowler Nick Fairbank had Sharks’ opener David Hunt caught in slips in the early overs for eight, but a valuable 80run secondwicket partnership between Paul Mohacsy and Paul Palmer brought the combine side strongly back into the game.
After Mohacsy and Palmer were dismissed for useful scores of 53 and 43 respectively, Nyora clawed its way back into the game.
However a crucial unbroken eighthwicket stand of 39 runs between Ross Smith and Paul Cornelius enabled the Sharks to fight their way back into the contest.
At stumps on day one, KilcundaBass was a healthy 7/217 from 70 overs and appeared to be on track to score a matchwinning total.
Nyora opening bowler Nick Fairbank produced a tireless performance to collect 3/74 from 245 overs, while Andrew Collis captured 3/32 from 13 overs.
DAY TWO
Persistent bowling from the Shark’s attack, allied with excellent fielding, continued the combine’s dominance on Sunday when Nyora only managed 116.
Former Clyde Agrade allrounder, Paul Cornelius, wrapped up the playerofthematch award after taking a scorching gully catch, effecting a runout and taking five wickets.
Cornelius was capably supported by Paul Matthews and captaincoach Dean Pipicelli and the only Nyora batsmen to threaten KilcundaBass’ first premiership in a decade of West Gippsland cricket, were Andrew Collis, Kelvin Toogood and Nathan Smith who all scored in the 20s.
