UGSCA 2024-25: Towns break B-grade grand final drought with seven-run victory against Cuballing on home turf

Towns Cricket Club have broken a lengthy B-grade premiership drought with a thrilling seven-run win over Cuballing in the grand final on March 22.

Towns finished on top of the ladder while Cuballing came from fourth to reach the decider in the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association B-grade grand final at Clayton Road Oval.

In a remarkable game, Towns broke a 15-year title drought in the B-grade as they successfully defended 162.

Towns recovered from 7-87 to be all out for 162 after late cameos from Peter Baker (28no) and Cody Heywood (27).

Heywood hit three fours in his 27 from 29 balls, while Baker was patient with a 52-ball knock. The pair put on 52 for the last wicket to get Towns to a winning score.

Earlier strong contributions from Russell Cowcher (31) and Scott Fowler (29) in the top order set a good foundation for Towns but the work of Kieran Langridge (2-25), Chase Parsons (2-31) and Jaco Moolman (2-24) kept the pressure on.

Samuel Grieve was hard to get away with seven overs to return 1-17 as his side were set 163 to win in 45 overs.

As the chase began, Jack Warburton quickly removed David Lange with the fourth ball, followed by Sam Grieves’ dismissal at the other end by Don Raj for 13.

Roger Ballard (28) helped anchor the innings and tip the game in the visitors’ favour but Lewis Hardie (2-38) snared two wickets in two balls, quickly removing Roger Ballard and Jason Quartermaine to leave Cuballing on 4-52.

Moolman followed his success with the ball, doing much of Cuballing’s heavy lifting with 36 runs beside Bevan George (35) before Adrian Dabinett (2-25) took the crucial wickets.

Fowler delivered a match-winning spell by cleaning up the tail and ending Towns’ B grade 15-year flag drought as Cuballing were all out for 155 in reply, despite late runs from Xavier Ballard (15) and Taj Carruthers (12).

Man of the match honours went to Fowler for his steady 29 from 58 balls to help Towns set a defendable score before taking 4-21 from 7.1 overs.