31/03/2026
**GRAND FINAL MATCH REPORT**
Whitfords 1st XI Claim First Div 1 flag in 20 years!
Cyclone Narelle did her best, but it wasn't enough to stop us taking on North Beach Carine Cricket Club in a reduced 40-over One Day match at Monyash for the 2nd Grade Flag. We had it all to play for, as the GF win would also guarantee us promotion to 1st Grade for 2026/27.
In a subtle act of foreshadowing, skipper Michael Jones won the toss and invited NBCC to bat first on a pitch that looked on the surface to have held up well against the weather.
Jones opened the bowling alongside Summerfield, and within the first 5 overs had NBCC 2/11 - Summerfield dismissing NBCC skipper Brayden Meyers for 0 with a superb yorker, and then taking Naish in his next over.
A combination of tight bowling, fielding, and a slow outfield made scoring difficult, which only piled the pressure on NBCC further, resulting in Jones claiming a double-wicket maiden to have NBCC reeling at 4/17.
Young Rivers was introduced soon after and broke through in his second over to have NBCC 5/41 in the 13th. Wickets then fell with regularity, and when Pope took both Montgomery for a 0 and danger bat D Taylor (35) in consecutive overs, we were assured a small total to chase down - NBCC setting us 81 to win.
Jones and Rivers took 3 a piece, well supported by Pope and Summers, who took 2 each.
Rivers and Rudd opened our innings, and after 5 overs we were 0/24 and well on the way to chasing down the total.
Looking like he wanted to wrap it up quickly (even sending one l***y blow perilously close to the swamp), Rivers was dismissed for 14 with us needing less than 50 runs.
Rudd continued on however, well supported by both Camacho (6) and Pope (11*) to chase down NBCC's total in 22 overs, taking a Man of the Match performance of 43*(65) with him - congratulations to you!
Massive congratulations to Michael Jones and the 11 other players who brought us home a Div 1 flag and drove us back into 1st Grade - we could not be prouder as a Club of the work that has gone towards this achievement.
Also a huge thank you to NBCC for hosting us, ensuring a game got underway and being gracious in defeat - we look forward to future match-ups next season and beyond. Thank you also to WASTCA, the umpires, Granex Trade Supplies and our other key sponsors - without them we would not be able to enjoy moments like these.
Lastly, massive thank you to all Ospreys who turned out wearing blue - your support is the most important there is, and we wouldn't be the Club we are without you all.
🦅🏆
