15/03/2026
๐ BIG match report this week ๐
BLUE JAYS INTO THE BIG DANCE!
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๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐
Absolute cinema at Kalara Reserve in front of a loud and proud crowd saw the B Grade prevail (just) to claim their spot in the Grand Final against fellow semi-final victors, Eastern Park.
An incorrect call of โheadsโ from Salisbury West at the toss ensured skipper, Adon Cousins, got his way and informed the troops that theyโd get first crack with the stick, looking to put runs on the board, and place pressure on the opposition to chase them.
Adon Cousins almost repeated the events of last week, providing Salisbury West an opportunity on the second ball of the match, but was thankfully given a lifeline. The opening pair toiled away early before Josh Green was dismissed for 8, bringing Tom Hay to the crease. Adon and Tom were quickly on the counter-attack, putting the pressure on the Salisbury West bowling attack and silencing their chirp. The Farmy Army were vocal in support as the ball found the boundary repeatedly and the pair brought up a 100-run partnership. Unlucky 13 perked up as the skipper fell 13 runs shy of a ton, trapped in front of the stumps for a blistering 87 off 50, which included six 4โs and eight maximums. Josh Lake joined Tom at the crease, but Tom followed the skipper back to the sheds, falling for well-compiled 28. Aidan Lake and Josh saw the Jays to drinks, the scoreboard reading 3/137 off 20 overs. Josh and Aidan kept the scoreboard ticking over, but were unable to go on with it, dismissed for 13 and 16 respectively. Remmie Schliwa added 1 to the total before being dismissed, leaving Chris Lake (25) and Brendon Favotti (25) to build a nice partnership, before that too was ended. Jordan Hocking unfortunately did not trouble the scorers, dismissed first ball, but Jakob Lake (7) and Irfan Shafai (3*) chipped in and pushed the total out to 204.
The Blue Jays had the ball on a string early, limiting Salisbury Wests run scoring putting their batters under pressure. Great movement and safe hands saw Aidan Lake claim a swift catch, handing Irfan Shafai (1/43) an early wicket to see the back of the competitions leading run scorer, a big scalp. The wickets columns did not move any further before drinks, but the runs column was minimally impacted too. A fantastic first 20 from the B Grade saw the scorecard read 1/59 at the break, the home side well on top. Brendon Favotti broke through just 3 balls after drinks, a well deserved wicket for another excellent spell that saw him finish with figures of 1/19 off 8 overs. Salisbury West began their resurgence, finding the boundary regularly to counter-attack and reverse the pressure. Josh Lake (1/42) and Chris Lake combined to produce a wicket, Chris taking a fine grab out at deep long-off, but the Jays were still unable to restrict the runs and Salisbury West continued to tick over the scoreboard. Josh Green entered the frame to take 2 huge wickets in consecutive overs, a solid catch in the deep from Aidan Lake and a ball that sent the bails flying - but Salisbury West still held momentum. 12 runs off 12 balls, that was the equation for Salisbury West, with 5 wickets in the shed. Chris Lake (2/38 off 7), ball in hand rose to the occasion, sending the Salisbury West skipper back, courtesy of a fine catch from Josh Lake, before claiming a catch of his own to give the Blue Jays a sniff and set up a final over thriller. 6 from 6 and 3 wickets in hand, enter Josh Green (5/36 off 8). 4 runs from the first 3 deliveries had Salisbury West in the box seat, requiring just 2 from the final 3 deliveries. A sharp delivery that kept low found the bottom edge of the top scoring Salisbury West player and was accepted nicely by the skipper, belief elevated to new heights. Josh charged in again and produced a wonderful ball to beat the bat and rattle the stumps, crowd now well on their feet and the Blue Jays full of life. 1 ball, 2 runs, 1 wicket, a spot in the grand final on the line. Youโd be forgiven if you mistook the scorecard for a website URL, because Josh Green again produced a seething delivery that decimated all three stumps, You could not script it, a last-ball, 1-run victory, hat-trick and five wicket hall. Absolute Cinema.
The Blue Jays will face Eastern Park at Dwight Reserve, battling for the 2025/26 Premiership. ๐๐ค๐
