BMRCA: Former Australian all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile stars as Cowaramup win grand final

Former Australian all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile played a starring role as Cowaramup claimed the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association A-grade premiership with a thumping 115-run grand final win over Margaret River Hawks at Gloucester Park on Saturday.

After being dismissed without scoring with the bat as the Bulls posted a total of 150 in the first innings, the 60-cap international dominated with the ball in the second, claiming figures of 5-5 from his four overs as they bowled the Hawks out for just 35.

Coulter-Nile had spent a period over February and March playing in a masters tournament in India, with his appearance in the season decider his first for the Bulls since January.

He needed only 19 deliveries to secure his five-wicket haul, knocking over Shane Joyce for three, Grant Garstone for two and Jack Green, Chris McLean and Sam Joyce without scoring.

After Coulter-Nile did the damage up front, Cowaramup’s Connor Oates (3-6 from eight overs) and Fraser Oates (2-5 from 1.2 overs) carried on his good work to close out the game and start the celebrations.

The Bulls were given a good start to their batting innings by openers Aayush Patel (60 from 77 balls) and Joshuah Curtis (25 from 60 balls), who put on a 71-run opening partnership.

But Margaret River’s star spinner Rumesh Silva (4-11 from 10 overs) combined with Grant Garstone (3-38 from 10 overs) combinbed through the middle overs to trigger a batting collapse.

The slide included Coulter-Nile’s dismissal, with the noted big hitter chipping his second delivery from Garstone to Silva in the covers.

In the lower grades, Dunsborough claimed the B-grade premiership with a 43-run win over Yallingup-Oddbods and Vasse’s 28-run win over Dunsborough Blue saw them seal the C-grade flag.