AMAZINGLY, after 16 rounds of the Hamilton and District Cricket Association 2022-23 B-C grade season, all 11 teams are still in contention to play finals.

With the top eight teams getting to play finals in either B or C grade, it means even the current bottom three teams on the premiership ladder can play in finals if they perform in the last two home and away matches.

St Andrew’s d College Eagles

IN the match of the round, St Andrew’s took care of College Eagles on the back of a stunning bowling display from Josh Nield who grabbed six wickets for only one run with the new ball, as the Eagles were routed for only 52.

The Drews were asked to bat first after the Eagles won the toss at College Turf, and only Damien Logan (40 from 43 balls) and Andy O’Connor (23 from 23 balls) could be happy with their innings, as the visitors were restricted to 8-121 from its allotted overs with the bowlers sharing the spoils.

Nield came out after the tea break and his eight-over spell was unplayable, conceding only one run while taking six wickets.

It was only after he had finished his spell that the Eagles’ last two wickets added 15 runs to lift the tally past 50, as Connor Burns (3-20) claimed the other wickets to fall.

St Andrew’s Saints d College

THE Saints clung to fifth on the ladder and remain a huge chance of playing the B grade finals with victory against College at Pedrina Park 1.

The home side won the toss and asked College to bat first with Tim Wilson (53) and Jake Tonissen (30) doing well with the willow to help the visitors post 8-145.

After the tea break, the home side looked to Gary Spring (73) and Michael ‘Harry’ Harris (28) to lead the chase with Jude Alexander (3-48) the best of the College bowlers as the Drew’s finished on 178.

Grampians d Branxholme

EDDIE McShane (108) will remember this match for the rest of his life, notching his maiden century for Grampians in its tally of 3-221, with the young top order batsman hitting his runs from only 105 balls with 15 boundaries.

Branxholme was defending 6-179 after Scott Bennett’s 76-run knock, while Joe Keady grabbed 2-14 from seven overs to lead the way with the ball for the Pumas.

Tahara d Casterton District

TAHARA was far too good for Casterton District with Sam Brewer (64) and Brad Gauci (48) the standouts for the Bluecaps, as the side posted 8-215 with Fletcher Bright taking 3-28 for the home side at Wando Vale Recreation Reserve.

After the tea break, Tahara showed no mercy, sweeping the Maroons aside for only 56.

Pierce Kelly with 30-not-out showed some resistance with the bat, while Jack Rhook and Marcus Rhook grabbed three wickets each to leave the Bluecaps atop the premiership ladder.

Hamilton North d Hamilton

HAMILTON North remains in fourth place after claiming the points at Haymes Paint Oval, as Hamilton failed to defend its total of 7-152 with Nick Casey (30-not-out) being the best of the home team’s batsmen.

Eli Crutch took 3-29 to lead the way with the ball for the visitors, doing well to restrict the Blues on the lightning-fast oval.

In reply, the Hammers looked to Jaiden Ciccone (38) and Crutch (37) to guide the side to a valuable away win and keep the B grade finals dream alive.