West Bairnsdale is the 2024/25 Bairnsdale Cricket Association T20 champions, defeating Orbost in the grand final at the Hudson Alvin Oval last Saturday afternoon by 54 runs.
West was unbeaten throughout its campaign, winning four preliminary rounds prior to easily accounting for Paynesville in the semi final on Saturday morning.
The team’s professionalism throughout made it the obvious standout in the competition.
The Blues sent West into bat and restricted the favourites to 6/145 from their 20 overs. It was a case of what might have been for Orbost who dropped numerous chances which proved costly.
Several times Orbost worked its way back into the contest, only for sloppy fielding to intervene, fielding sure to be focus at training this week for the Blues.
Among the runs for West were Mitchell Toms (38), Sam Stewart (30) and Atley Williams (32), the right-hand, left-hand combination working well through the middle of the innings.
Alex Hulme was the pick of the bowlers for Orbost taking 2/22.
In reply the Blues limped to 7/91 from their 20-over allocation, with several batsmen not happy with their dismissals.
Orbost was positive early but once Jayden Price and Luke Endley were dismissed, with Freddie Wilkinson having to retire hurt with a serious knee injury, West cruised to victory, savouring the moment.
West used nine bowlers, with Jai Nicholls, operating as an off spinner, the major wicket taker with 2/10.
SEMI FINALS
Earlier in their semi final match West Bairnsdale dismissed Paynesville for 80 in the 19th over, cruising to victory for the loss of three wickets in the 18th over.
Brodie Anderson (2/13) and Jake Anderson (2/4) were the leading wickettakers for West as they again shared the ball around, while with the bat it was the dynamic duo of Brodie Anderson (35) and Ryan Halford (23) who were the major contributors.
At Bullumwaal Road, the Blues came off the canvas after Wy Yung looked set to win their semi final.
Orbost batted first, registering a respectable 7/121, highlighted by 31 from Price, with cameo roles from Mikael Hulme (21), Endley (18), Wilkinson (12) and Alfie Lindsay (11).
Luis Wilson was menacing with the ball for the Tigers, picking up 3/19 from his four overs.
In reply, Wy Yung looked to be cruising at 4/103 with skipper Cameron McPhan (57 from 47) and Stevie Bertino (20) in full flight, but when Bertino holed out to Price off Endley, the scoring rate dried up and the Tigers could only muster 9/116.
Ben Channing contributed 16 in the middle order for the Tigers, with Nick Davis (3/15) and Nick Hulme (2/18), among the wickets for the Blues.
