2 weeks Ago By Andrew Moir
St Patrick's captain Dean Nicholson labelled Scottish recruit the 'Iceman' after holding his nerve in a thrilling last-ball win over East Albury in Cricket Albury-Wodonga Provincial's preliminary final on Saturday. or signup to continue reading The visitors were defending 6-193 as East started the last over on 8-188. McElnea dismissed Cameron White with the first delivery and then bowled three dot balls to Ethan Haberfield.
The youngster struck a single, meaning Englishman Matt Heap had to hit a boundary to tie the game and therefore move through to the grand final as the higher-ranked team. However, McElnea managed to keep Heap to a single to short third man. "Scotty's last over, he was the 'Iceman'," Nicholson praised.
The former Scottish under 19 representative only played his first game on January 25. "At the start of the season we were potentially one seam bowler short," Nicholson suggested. "We had a South African lined up, but the visa fell through.
It got to a point where we thought we were short and needed that extra piece and the fact that he and Neil Smith were such good mates and Scotty was looking for a break from his teaching job in Scotland. "He's been unreal, his knowledge of the game and his own game, he's really helped some of our boys." The Patties were forced to experiment when sent in to bat with regular No.
8 Luke Evans promoted to opener after Smith suffered an injury against Lavington in the semi-final. Within a matter of overs, the other regular opener Matt Crawshaw was forced to retire hurt on five. "He went for a quick single and dived into his crease, but collided with a fielder," Nicholson explained.
"He tried to bat on, but it was way too much for him and he was in a sling after that." Despite the disruptions, the Patties best player of the season again delivered, while former Manly Warringah District Premier Cricket all-rounder Sam Gainsford did likewise in a second successive final. Scammell struck a patient 55 from 100 balls, with four boundaries, while Gainsford compiled 52 from 71, with a six and four fours, in a 62-run stand.
"'Scamm' has had a cracking season, one of the best I've been a part of in an A grade side, with bat and ball, he's been massive," Nicholson said. "Sam found boundaries when we needed them and upped the tempo when needed." Gainsford also combined in a half-century stand with Angus Kilby, who scored 25, the same as makeshift opener Evans.
Crows' veteran Brett Davies was excellent with 2-22 from 10 overs. The home team had a host of contributors in Darren Keenes (37), Kieran Pell (34) and Caleb Hobbs (30), while Davies (20) and Heap posted 30 for the eighth wicket to push within two strikes from victory at 8-183. However, Davies was run out for 20 and then McElnea strangled the Crows in that last over.
He finished with 2-32 from eight overs, while Nicholson's 1-14 from 10 proved decisive. St Pat's is now hunting its first premiership in 14 years, while East just failed to make its first decider in a decade. And the association will crown a new premier after North Albury ended Lavington's two-year reign.
After a lopsided first week of finals, North grabbed another thrilling win. The home side's batting depth was pivotal in posting 8-197 as the visitors were dismissed for 179 from 47 overs. North had five players score 26 or more, while Lavington had only two players above 12.
"All the boys pride themselves on scoring more than each other," captain Ash Borella offered. Opener Matt Condon led the charge with 44, with support from Ryan Addison (39), Tom Hemsley (36), Ben Fulford (33) and Jake Burge (26 not out from only 18 deliveries), smacking NSW Country quick Luke Docherty for a six over midwicket from the last ball. "Lavi' bowled really well in that first hour and a half, it was pretty tough going with the bat," Borella said.
"They had the ball dancing and it probably favoured the ball to start with, but the boys hung in there." Captain Chris Galvin captured 3-23, while Docherty snared 3-41. Teenager Oscar Lyons was outstanding with 96 from 135 deliveries, cracking two sixes and 10 boundaries, combining in an 89-run partnership with No.
4 Sam Harris (30). Seven players had single-figure scores as mid-season recruit Hamish Starr claimed 4-24, Tom Hemsley 3-34, while Blake Elliott's opening spell was miserly. North is targeting its first flag in three years against the Patties at Lavington Sportsgropund on Saturday.
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