In a low-scoring match at Riverside, the Mowbray Eagles dropped any chance of making the final with some woeful fielding including two dropped catches in two balls against the Blues. The Lions, on the other hand, showed how big a gap there is between the Coastal clubs and Launceston when they demolished the Coast s leading team, Ulverstone. RIVERSIDE v MOWBRAY: Winning the toss and batting on what turned out to be a tough wicket to score runs on, the Eagles managed a respectable 143 but were bowled out in 48.
3 overs. Captain Clinton Reid (44) led from the front to be top-scorer for the Eagles, and Mathew Scolyer (23) gave some support. Once again it was coach Alister Gibbins (57) who, thanks to Mowbray s poor catching, was the star with the bat as he guided his side to within 14 runs of victory.
There were a few anxious moments for the Blues as they lost 3-0 with the score on 142, but they had done enough to secure their first Greater Northern grand final in five years. Batting first, the Lions amassed 9-251 from their 50 overs in hot conditions. Scott Brewer (56) top-scored for the Lions, hitting seven boundaries in his 120-minute stay at the crease; and when his captain had the misfortune to injure a hamstring while bowling, Brewer was given the ball to bowl the one delivery remaining in the over.
Of course he claimed a wicket, got another over and finished with 2-2 to be man of the match. Ulverstone started badly when its first wicket fell with only 10 runs on the board, and then disaster struck with the next five wickets falling for 13 runs to see it 6-23. Ricky Bott (33 n.
o.) and Scott Murfett (19) were the only batsmen to put up any resistance.
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