U14 Male State Champs SFs: Breakers, Spirit through to final
The Breakers won in the last over of the match in a nail-biter against the Southern Pioneers.
The Pioneers batted first and made what was probably a par score, finishing their 40 overs with 8-150.
Ashley Chandrasinghe was again in the runs, top scoring with 46.
That pushed his total for the tournament to 201 at an impressive average of 50.25 – second to the Breakers’ MacKenzie Harvey (66.6).
The Breakers’ bowlers spread the wickets around, with Harvey (2-16), Liam Witts (2-22), Miles Sellenger (2-31) and Alex Gibson (2-31) picking up two each.
In reply, the Breakers started nervously, with Emran Heras (2-31) picking up the vital wicket of Harvey (11) early on.
At 2-24, Sam McConchie (42) and Jakob Woinarski (34) put together a 52-run third wicket partnership, bringing their team right back in to the game.
When McConchie departed the score was 6-120 and it was down to the lower order to make the remaining 31 runs.
Number seven Michael Parsons performed his job brilliantly, producing a small but well-measured innings to guide his side home.
He finished unbeaten on 15 (31) as the Breakers scored the winning runs off the third ball of the last over with just one wicket in hand.
Adam Bailes (5* off 6) was the number 11 to hold his nerve and finish off the match along side Parsons.
The win sends the Breakers through to the final where they will face the Western Spirit who knocked off the Northern Rivers in their semi.
Winning the toss and batting first, the Spirit got off to a sensational start with openers Rory Kalnins (42) and Dylan Brasher (38) putting on 88 runs for the first wicket.
They were both dismissed in quick succession however, as the Rivers fought back and halted any chances of an unbeatable score being posted.
The Spirit lost its last eight wickets for just 44 runs to be bundled out for 142 in the 39th over.
Ethan Baxter (3-25) was the pick of the bowlers, while an incredible five run outs really hurt the Spirit on the scoreboard.
With a vulnerable score to defend, the Spirit always looked like they were in the game.
They rarely let any partnerships settle as the bowlers performed well as a unit.
Rivers opener James Vlaeminck played well for 31, but it would prove to be not enough as many of his teammates failed to contribute.
The loss of Jye Caldwell (27) saw the Rivers fall to 7-117, exposing the tail to the Spirit’s fired-up bowling attack.
Ethan Bentley (3-17) got the job done in the end for the Spirit, taking the last two wickets of the match in the 38th over.
The Rivers were dismissed for 132, just 11 agonising runs short of a place in the final.
Congratulations to both the Spirit and the Breakers, who will play in the decider on the February 8.
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