Lake Grace knocked out in semis, Pingelly-Noonebin make it a three-peat of UGSCA A-grade titles

Pingelly-Noonebin claimed a three-peat of A-grade premierships with a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat of Wandering in the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association grand final on Sunday. The UGSCA brought their finals forward and scrapped the A-grade preliminary final due to the evolving COVID-19 situation and rise in cases around WA. The top four sides played off in semifinals on Saturday and the two winners progressed to the 2021-22 decider the following day. Lake Grace finished on top of the ladder and faced the fourth ranked Wandering in their semifinal, while the second-placed Cuballing faced off against third-placed Pingelly-Noonebin in the other semi. Lake Grace were eliminated from the title race in an upset after getting skittled for just 71 after batting first on their home deck. Wandering made light work of the run chase, securing victory in the 15th over with eight wickets in hand. Bryan Hardie was superb with the ball taking 4-9 and then Jacob Schorer peeled off 41 not out to get Wandering into a grand final. The other semi was a tense affair as Brock Francis (47) and Grady Francis (38) helped Cuballing make 5-170 batting first at home. Pingelly-Noonebin slipped to 6-77 in the chase but a fighting half century from Luke Kirk and tail-end contributions from Cameron Hill and Blair Kemp helped their side win a thriller. Luke Kirk made 54 not out to lead Pingelly-Noonebin to a two-wicket win, passing the target with eight balls to spare. Pingelly-Noonebin hosted Sunday’s grand final and sent Wandering in to bat. Only Hardie (26) and Schorer (37) passed 20 for the visitors as they were held to 8-121 from their 45 overs. Jordan Hughes claimed 3-20 from his 10 overs and Dylan Kirk was also vital with 2-18 from 10 overs. The home side lost Tyson Kirk (23) and Jack Blechynden (5) early in the chase but a 77-run partnership from Tom Blechynden and Dylan Kirk laid the foundations for a hat-trick of premierships. Tom Blechynden was dismissed for 39 off 49 balls to end the stand but his side needed only six runs to win and Dylan Kirk, who was named man of the match, finished the job after making 53 not out from 59 balls. Pingelly-Noonebin secured the win in the 34th over for the loss of just three wickets. Meanwhile, finals start in the Great Southern Cricket Association this weekend. Kendenup and Wanderers will play the elimination first semifinal at Kendenup on Saturday, with the winner progressing to the preliminary final. After finishing in the top two, Broomehill and Tambellup will square off in the second semifinal, with the winner qualifying for the decider and the loser backs up in the preliminary final.