A Jackson Stewart inspired 72* has led Northern Districts to their second straight 1-Day Minor Premiership in Dapto on Saturday. Overcoming a wretched run, which included five ducks, Stewart was the foundation in an innings that had only three make it to double figures.
Stewart was at the crease with the score reading 1/17 and walked off after the final ball and a healthy 9/191 behind the side. Close to carrying his bat his was a knock of typical Stewart style, plenty of singles and as he grew in comfort a number of brutal cuts in front of square. He also deftly put away anything on his pads, finishing with four boundaries in his 139-ball stay. It was good to have him back.
Unfortunately the top order woes continued as the Butchers started inventing new ways to get out. Mark Cottom was mighty unlucky when attempting to put away an ugly wide full toss down leg but somehow managed to sky it to the 'keeper. Fortunately Stewart was able to take the reigns that Cottom had been filling in previous knocks.
Of the top six, five were again single digit returns as the Butchers wobbled to 5/73. Of particular note were the number of attempted cuts too close to the body, two catches behind the wicket off cramped cuts and a further play-on.
Michael Doig (29) joined Stewart in a boosting 51-run partnership, importantly playing around the 2nd break and ensuring no loss of wicket. With a few overs to go the lower middle order and tail started to hit out, highlighted by Dan Bond's 16 that included a straight pull with epic hangtime. Stewart was dropped off the final ball in the deep, but really, the damage had been done. The final five chipped away with decent partnerships that turned a low score into a good one. 191 was defendable.
Captain Neil Ryan offered the pill to youngsters Dan Bond (1/24) and Rob Murphy (0/26) who didn't let him down. This is a team shaping itself now around it's younger players, last year Bond was a regular 3rd Grader and Murphy a 4th Grader. Here they were opening the attack against last years 2nd Grade finalists.
Steve Bond (2/38), Doig (2/13) and Ryan (3/51) utilized a little experience in eeking out wickets as needed, though some after Christmas fielding allowed Fulton to get away to 75 and the match became an unneccessary thriller. Once Bond had seasoned campaigner Steve Davies caught behind for next to nothing the Butchers felt they were well on top. Fulton though, like Stewart, took advantage of his chances and registered a big score. Finally Ryan got him in similar fashion to Cottom, a wide one down leg side was chased and skied. Lee Turner took the most crucial of his two catches.
Ryan's duel with Cherry, fizzing the ball past the left-handed bat on numerous occasions was a highlight and one that ultimately returned in reward. Jackson Stewart entered the fray late, picking up a couple important wickets - but going for nearly six an over Dapto were well in check of the required rate. With the threat of penalty for taking too long to bowl the overs, Doig managed to finally get Hammond to uppishly drive where it was taken by Dan Bond at cover, thus ending the tight encounter by 8-runs.
It's been a tremendous achievement by the young 2nd Grade pack. Only four in this lineup who faced off against Dapto in the 1-Day Final last year. Plenty of third and fourth graders from last year earning their chance and rewarded with an undefeated season is huge.
The Butchers now meet Port Kembla at King George on Sunday in the first semi-final. The match, originally to be held at Hollymount, was moved after concerns about the spongy Hollymount outfield. Wherever a match is to be played, you have to win it in do-or-die circumstances and Northern Districts will be ready.
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