Sport
22 February, 2023
Cheatley ‘chaz’es down Kulpi total as Bowenville upset defending premiers
Bowenville Cricketers saved their season and booked their ticket to the Central Downs Cricket Grand Final following a low-scoring semi final against Kulpi at Goombungee on the weekend.
The chance for a second Fiechtner Family Shield in three years has opened up for Bowenville after a six wicket win against defending premiers, Kulpi who managed only 96 in 23.2 overs.
Tight bowling and fielding by Bowenville was the story of the day after losing the toss and Kulpi skipper Brenden Schick elected to bat.
A hooping Kookaburra proved challenging for Kulpi, with plenty of plays-and-misses past the edge, and a few edges which found gaps in Bowenville’s cordon although several chances were dropped at first slip.
Ghulam Mustafa drew the first scalp for Bowenville with the wicket of Marcus Frizzell (13) and Kulpi at 1-19 in the fourth over.
Tidy bowling by Chaz Cheatley and Jayden Lee limited the hosts to 41 by the 10th over before Cheatley struck the stumps twice in three balls to have Kulpi 3-43, dismissing Corey Dioth (12) and Rob McKewen (14).
The Kulpi middle order attempted a recovery but when Kye Martin was out the score was 57 and David Sipple took the score to 65 a decent score seemed possible.
The introduction of the spin of Jaiveer Singh just before drinks saw the dangerous Tim Dowe hole out for 33 to a great catch by Chaz Cheatley after already taking three fours in the over.
Nick Spies didn’t last long and by the drinks break Kulpi were in deep trouble at 7 for 91.
After the drinks break, Kulpi were only able to add a further five runs to the total before being bowled out for 96, setting Bowenville a small total to chase.
Fall of Wickets; 19, 42, 43, 57, 65, 86, 90, 91, 91, 96.
Bowling for Bowenville, Ajay Kumar 3-15 (7), Chaz Cheatley 3-28 (5) Jayden Lee 2-30 (7) Mushie 1–11 (4) and Jaiveer Singh 1-12 (1).
Cheatley and Singh began the chase for Bowenville, with Cheatley holding the strike for much of the opening stand before Singh was dismissed without scoring by Dave Sipple after seven overs when the score was 17.
Mushie was out right on lunch for 9 when the score was 2-32 after 11 overs.
At the resumption of play, Cheatley picked up where he left off retaining the strike for several overs, before a quick single caught Lee off guard and he was run out for a duck, and the next ball, Kumar was dismissed, bowled by Sipple and the score was 4-39.
Was there a collapse like Australia on the cards?
Gavin Pattison joined Cheatley in the middle and, with the pair rotating the strike, worked slowly away at the total, before launching a barrage of boundaries in the final overs of the chase to bring Bowenville home, Cheatley 63 not out, Pattison 16 not out .
Sipple 2-17 (8) and Nick Spies 1-21 (4) were the only wicket-takers for Kulpi.
Fall of Wickets; 17, 32, 39, 39.
Sunday’s Grand Final commences at 9.30am at Millmerran sportsground via Kent Street.
The presentation of trophies will follow the match.
