By GREG MORRISSEY OAM
The 2024/25 Parkes and District Cricket Association season came to an end on Saturday, 8 March when Parkes Colts scored a 62 run victory over Cambridge Cats at Woodward Oval.
Match scores were: Parkes Colts 7/167 off 40 overs (Paul Dunford 42, Phil Dunford 30 not out, Ryan Dunford 26, Ewan Moody 14, Jock Yelland 11 not out, Harry Yelland 11, Zac Bayliss 4/21 off 7 overs, Hunter Hawke 2/23 off 7 overs) defeated Cambridge Cats 10/105 off 34.4 overs (Zac Bayliss 20, Billy Porter 15, Hunter Hawke 13, Mitch Wright 12, Harry Bayliss 12, Cameron Rosser 12, Ryan Dunford 3/38 off 10 overs, Ben Houghton 3/23 off 7.4 overs, Brent Tucker 1/15 off 7 overs, Phil Dunford 0/10 off 5 overs).
Colts won by 62 runs to be 2024/25 premiers, following-up their 2023/24 premiership success.
The grand final was most capably umpired by Messers Trevor Chatman and Michael Fyfe, and Parkes Sports Council presented Woodward Oval in pristine condition.
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The game was played before a sizeable crowd who enjoyed the pleasant end-of-summer conditions.
After winning the toss Colts elected to bat.
Cats' opening bowlers Zac Guy and Billy Porter were difficult to score from in the early overs before Colts' in-form opening batsman Paul Dunford began to launch a series of powerful well-struck strokes.
Cats dropped a couple of chances as Ryan Dunford combined with his uncle Paul to build a good score.
Indeed it was not until the 19th over of the innings before the Cats could manage a breakthrough with the Colts score standing at 73.
Paul Dunford 42, with 3 fours, led the way as he continued his impressive recent form.
Ryan Dunford in scoring 26 runs (with 2 fours) proved himself to be a fine opening partner.
The introduction of Hunter Hawke to the Cats bowling attack secured 2 wickets prior to Ben Haughton being run out before he could get going.
Zac Bayliss proved himself to be Cats' best bowler when he took 2 wickets in his first two overs.
Colts batsmen Ewan Moody and Harry Yelland added useful runs for their team while Zac Bayliss continued his probing bowling spell to end up with the fine figures of 4/21 off 7 overs.
Phil Dunford (30 not out with 3 fours) and Jock Yelland (11no) added brisk runs in the final few overs of the Colts innings to give Colts a total of 7/167 off their allocated 40 overs.
In reply Cats openers Mitch Cambourn and Mitch Wright appeared to be in ominous attacking form as they slammed some powerful boundaries only for both players to be dismissed with the Cats score at 2/20.
Very impressive bowling spells by Ryan Dunford and Brent Tucker slowed the Cats scoring as Ryan really rose to the occasion to secure the prize wickets of Harry Bayliss and Hunter Hawke.
Hunter had just hit an exceptional lofted on drive to score a six into the Woodward Oval car park.
Billy Porter (15) and Zac Bayliss (20) began to put Cats back on target before Ryan Dunford took a fine outfield catch to dismiss Porter.
Then a superb direct hit run out saw Bayliss dismissed.
Cats score being 6/86 after 26 overs.
Ben Houghton, much to his delight, produced a fine bowling spell to take 3/23 off 7.4 overs as he contained Cats Cameron Rosser.
Cameron came into the grand final fresh off his match winning Western Zone Cup innings of 56 v Orange the previous week.
Another smart piece of fielding saw Cameron run out for 12.
With Cats junior players unable to withstand the constant Colts bowling and fielding pressure, the match ended with Colts scoring a convincing 62 run victory.
A proud Gunningbland father and grandfather in Wayne Dunford could be seen sporting a wide grin after the match.
Wayne has every reason to be exceptionally proud of his sons' and grandson's cricketing achievements.
In the after match presentation ceremony local Parkes umpire and Life Member of Parkes District Cricket Association, Trevor Chatman, announced Ryan Dunford Player of the Grand Final for his splendid all-round batting, bowling and fielding performance.
Colts captain Ryan Dunford accepted the Kelly Cup for the A Grade competition as his team mates accepted premiership mugs in a very pleasant end-of-season event.
