Great Boulder’s batting success a true team effort as finals beckon

The adage that “a star team always beats a team full of stars” shapes up as the catchcry for Great Boulder as the squad pursues a fourth consecutive flag in the Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association’s B-grade competition.

The Two Blues are odds-on favourites to achieve the rare feat — based on an 13-1 win-loss record with a match to play.

But despite imposing form that included victories in each of the opening 12 rounds, the Two Blues are playing second fiddle in batting to their rivals from Lake View and North Kalgoorlie when it comes to individual success.

Branden Pyke and Brock Reilly are the only Great Boulder players among the competition’s top-10 strokemakers.

And even then, they come in at No. 7 (Pyke’s 191 runs at 38.2) and No.10 (Reilly’s 162 runs at 16.2).

Norths, who are third with six wins, hold down each of the top-three spots — Glenn Gascoyne (409 runs at 37.18), Tim Rule (308 runs at 34.22) and Fletcher Edwards (255 runs at 36.43).

Lake View teammates Mark Williams (251 runs at 31.38), Jarrod Lucas (205 runs at 18.64) and Daniel Hood (196 runs at 39.2) are ranked fourth , fifth and sixth, respectively.

Pyke’s spot at No.7 is at the expense of Lake View’s Matt Ruly (176 runs at 16.2) and Hannans’ Brandon Burns (167 runs at 13.92).

It is a vastly different story, however, among bowlers, with Great Boulder boasting a top-three of Nathan Weir (27 wickets) , Daniel Leach (23 wickets) and Jeeman Singh (21 wickets).

Lake View are second with nine wins and inflicted Great Boulder’s lone defeat in round 13.

The Two Blues bounced back to beat Norths in round 14 by three wickets.

In similar fashion to the top division, the B-grade top-three is already decided, with Great Boulder guaranteed a place in the grand final on March 23.

Lake View’s clash with Norths this Saturday to finish the qualifiers is a dress rehearsal for the elimination final on March 16.

Also this weekend, Great Boulder are favoured to beat Hannans, who are without a win in 2023-24.