Valley won through over Hampton in their finals match to secure the final place in the fight for the premiership title. 

Valley will take on Lithgow Hotel at Lithgow’s Conran Oval. Hampton found it difficult to get momentum against Valley as they took to the field first at Conran Oval in their finals match. 

Rob Arnott fell for one run, soon followed by Sam Miller (10) and Matt Palmer (3). 

Nick Miller dug in for a match-best 34 runs but his fellow batsmen found it tough going. 

The tail fell in quick order to the bowling of Joel Gurney, who finished with 4/13 off his four overs. 

The team was all out for 95. 

The other wickets were claimed by Aron Crowder (3/32), Chris Giugni (2/27) and Bayden Charlton (1/20). 

For Valley, Eli Felton got off to a good start. He made 25 before being caught off the bowling of Dan Hart. 

After losing Joel Gurney for a duck, the remaining batsmen chipped away at the total, claiming the grand final spot by six wickets. 

Nic Kenniff (17), Aron Crowder (15), Warren Stevens (13) and Connor Roebuck (6) were the other contributing batsmen. 

Dan Hart was the best of the bowlers in Hampton’s defence, claiming two wickets. Nick Miller and Rob Gracey also took wickets. 

Lithgow Cricket’s second grade teams fought for a place in the two grand final matches to be held on Saturday, March 17. 

A string of mid and late order wickets saw Lithgow Hotel 1 bow out of the finals in their match against the Lidsdale Lions. 

Lidsdale bowler Barry Jackson had a huge day, taking four wickets for eight runs from his four overs. 

After a rocky start, Lithgow Hotel appeared to hit its straps with Kobe Hunter (17) and Dan Hine (43) having a good hit. 

But the team then lost four wickets for no runs, with Rod Dempsey, Terry Ford, Andrew McIntosh and Clive White all failing to score. That made five ducks for the match, with the earlier loss of Matt Dickson, batting at number three. 

Wickets also went to Harry Bender (2), Blake Caldwell, Thomas Thompson and Nic Bender. 

The team set a total of 107. 

In reply, Lidsdale’s Phil Wright (41) and Blake Caldwell (18) top-scored as the team ground out 5/108 for the win. 

Wickets went to Lithgow Hotel’s Neil Hutchinson (2) Kobe Hunter, Matt Dixon and Dan Hine.  

It was a low scoring finals match between Hampton and Valley on Saturday, with Valley securing a win.

It was tough going for Hampton with the bat. Matt Gerard (10), Dave Kay (15) and Matt Tuxford (13) were the only ones to get to double figures. 

Valley’s bowlers were having a great time, with Graham Clarke and Sam Johnson taking three each and Matt Williams and David Hartley taking two apiece. 

Hampton finished on 69. 

Valley lost three wickets in the chase, with top scores coming from Sam Johnson (25 not out) and Graeme Bell (20 not out).

Wickets went to Hampton bowlers Ryan Bilby and Dave Kay. 

Grand finals

The Lidsdale Lions will now go on to contest the second grade major grand final against the La Salle Hornets at Glanmire 4 on Saturday, March 17. 

The minor grand final will be played between Valley and Lithgow Hotel 1 at Marjorie Jackson 2. 

Lidsdale

Good luck to all our grand finalists.