BDCA push WA XI all the way in final

The Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association’s bid for CCB Belt Up Country Cup grand final glory came to a proud halt on Sunday after the team fell 12 runs short of the WA Invitational XI at the WACA.

Despite tireless bowling displays from John Richardson (3-38 off 10 overs) and Clint Hewson (2-29 off seven overs) ensuring that the home side was dismissed for 205, the BDCA gradually faded away after a promising partnership between Justin Woods and Tom Buchanan.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, the WA Invitational XI suffered some early scares, with opening bowlers Jacob Wintle and Richardson bowling a tidy line and length.

Wintle’s persistence eventually paid off, after he managed to entice Aaron Burrage into nibbling at a well-flighted ball which floated to a gleeful Bradman May behind the stumps.

However first drop Bevan Bennell, regarded as one of the most accomplished batsmen in regional WA, quickly returned momentum in his side’s favour.

Bennell quickly took to the BDCA bowling attack, with his aerial assault of three sixes appearing to cast some doubts among the South West faithful.

However in big matches, prolific leaders often do great things and Hewson proceeded to add his name to that list.

Coming on in the 16th over, Hewson shrugged off his out-of-sorts club performance from the day before with an impressive spell of intense fast bowling.

Even Bennell was unable to handle the ferocity, with the impressive sharpshooter miscuing a shot to Josh Topliss at deep third man.

Hewson was at it again two balls later, with Aaron McAuliffe out lbw after trying in vain to subdue a peach of a yorker.

At 6-75, the hosts appeared to be on the ropes, but for all of their promise, the BDCA were unable to land a hammer blow.

A late cameo from number 10 Daniel Gollan (23 off 42 balls) ultimately inflated the score above 200, which turned out to be priceless for the hosts.

Chasing 206 to win, the BDCA were in dire straits early, with Richardson and May back in the pavilion after being unable to play themselves in.

Aware of the situation, Woods (45 off 71 balls) and Buchanan (28 off 56 balls) threw everything but the kitchen sink in a bid to get their side up and firing.

However once both men eventually departed, the WA Invitational XI could smell blood and were intent on sealing the deal before sunset.

With time running out in the 36th over at 7-111, Hewson and Cruize Ciallella threw caution to the wind. Hewson stuck three blows over the fence, including two over long on which will be talked about for years to come.

However the dream was finally destroyed in the 49th over, after Topliss was run out with the score on 193.