Newcastle have secured the 2024/25 double, winning both the men’s and women’s Plan B Country Bash titles after defeating Western in a thrilling double-header final at the SCG.
In the men’s showdown, Western won the toss and opted to bowl, sending Newcastle in to bat. Despite an early setback with Andrew Wivell dismissed cheaply, Dylan Hunter anchored the innings with a solid 49 off 41 balls. He was well-supported by Logan Weston (26) and Jeffrey Goninan (22). Late-innings fireworks from Daniel Arms (19* off 13) and Ben Balcomb (15* off 6) pushed Newcastle to a total of 5/153.
Western began strongly and were 0/19 after three overs. However, Dylan Hunter’s form with the bat continued when he got ball in hand, dismissing Mitch Bower for nine in the fourth over. Ben Balcomb soon joined the action, removing Joseph Coughlan (19). Marty Jeffery provided resistance for Western with an impressive half-century off 30 balls, but Western’s efforts fell 11 runs short of the target.
Hunter’s stellar all-round performance earned him Player of the Final.
Score Wrap-Up
Newcastle v Western
Newcastle 5/153 (D Hunter 49, A Bills 2-10) def Western 10/142 (M Jeffery 50, T Blowes 2-29).
Player of the Final: Dylan Hunter
Final scorecard can be accessed here
In the women’s competition, both Newcastle and Western progressed through the pool stages undefeated, topping the Northern and Southern pools, respectively.
Winning the toss, Newcastle elected to bowl, and Western struggled to settle at the crease. Maddison Spence was run out by Emma-Jayne Howe on the final ball of the opening over, followed immediately by Tara French’s breakthrough dismissal of Roxsanne Van Veen for a duck. French struck again four balls later, removing Kira Churchland. Tight bowling from Newcastle restricted Western to a modest total of just 62.
Western showed fight with the ball early, as Montanna Griffith claimed two quick wickets in the first over. However, Newcastle’s Clare Webber (33*) and Molly Dare (21) steadied the innings, guiding their team to the title in just 21.1 overs.
Newcastle’s Abbey Taylor was awarded Player of the Final for her bowling spell of 3-5.
Score Wrap-Up
Newcastle Blasters v Western Outlaws
Newcastle 2/64 (C Webber 33*, A Taylor 3-5) def Western Outlaws 10/62 (A Johnson 16, Montana Griffith 2-11)
Player of the Final: Abbey Taylor (Newcastle)
Full scorecard can be accessed here.