Thrilling super over decides annual T20 Slam match in Upper Great Southern Cricket Association

Bragging rights in the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association remain with the Young Guns after they won a thrilling super over against their more experienced rivals in Friday night’s annual T20 Slam. The fixture, a Twenty20 exhibition game between two selected teams of some of the UGSCA’s best talent, was in its fourth instalment and the youngsters made it two wins on the trot. The Old Dogs won the first two editions of the T20 showcase but the Young Guns have squared the ledger after wins in 2022 and now 2023. This year’s triumph came in thrilling circumstances as the Young Guns prevailed in a super over, after both sides made 144 in their batting innings. The Young Guns batted first in the super over and made four runs in the first four balls before Joe Dowling was removed but a two to Jacob Schorer on the last delivery set their rivals seven runs to win. Rodney Ford got the Old Dogs off to a good start with two runs from the first ball but it was followed by a dot ball and then the wicket of Ford. Two singles followed which left the Old Dogs needing three runs to win from the final ball, but Jordan Hughes had Lega Tau caught behind to hand his side a memorable win, with the Old Dogs managing only four runs in reply. The Old Dogs batted first in the first innings and, after the early loss of Tau (16) and Matt Trevenen (10), went about posting a competitive total. Ford was superb in the middle overs, belting three sixes and four fours on his way to an entertaining 67 from 49 balls. He was well supported by Brendan Hall, who made 34 from 39, including two sixes, as the Old Dogs made 5-144 from their 20 overs. Hughes finished with 2-16 from three overs, while Bill Schorer (1-25) and Rohan Bilney (1-18) also picked up wickets for the Young Dogs. A 21-run opening stand between Jack Blechynden and Jacob Schorer got the youngsters off to a strong start. David Head removed Blechynden for 21 from 13 balls but Jacob Schorer and Dowling pushed their side towards victory. Jacob Schorer hit three boundaries in his 44 from 37 and Dowling hit three maximums on his way to a quick-fire 27 from 18. That pair, however, were both dismissed by Blair Forrest (3-36), and then Ford helped trigger a late collapse with 3-45. Ford bowled the final over of the chase, costing 14 runs and taking the wicket of Maas, but Jacob Schorer hit consecutive twos on the final two balls to tie scores.