Back Door Bandits delivered a dominant performance with both bat and ball to defeat Concrete Cowboys by 64 runs in their Cobar Senior Cricket Twenty20 clash at Ward Oval on Friday night.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Bandits posted 6/127 from their 20 overs, a total that proved far beyond the Cowboys as they were restricted to 8/63 in reply.
The Bandits’ innings was built around several useful contributions rather than one major score.
Tristan Everett top scored with a brisk 31 from 25 balls, striking a boundary and a six to help push the total past 120.
David Watson provided valuable support with 28, including two sixes, while Blake Ardley anchored the early part of the innings with 26 from 30 deliveries.
The Cowboys struck early when Ryan Urquhart removed Bandits’ opener, Mat Shepherd for two and later picked up two more wickets to finish with impressive figures of 3/16 from four overs.
Tadhg McMullen was equally effective, claiming 2/6, but the Bandits still managed to build a defendable total thanks in part to 24 extras.
In reply, the Cowboys never found any rhythm against a disciplined Bandits bowling attack.
The chase got off to the worst possible start when McMullen was dismissed without scoring, and then wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as the score slumped to 5/32.
Zac Broughton top scored with 16, while Jack Fazulla contributed 12, but the Cowboys struggled to build partnerships and were unable to keep up with the required rate.
Watson capped off a strong all-round performance by leading the bowling effort with 3/9 from three overs, while Jack Brown took 2/11.
Jed Noonan, Blake Ardley, and Hannes Burger also claimed wickets as the Bandits kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
Concrete Cowboys finished their 20 overs at 8/63, handing the Bandits a comprehensive 64-run victory.
End of season awards followed Friday’s grand final.
The Bandits collected the winner’s shield and David Watson was named Player of the Grand Final.
The T20 Player of the Year and Best All Rounder was Mat Shepherd.
The John Potter Jnr Representative Player Of the Year was Tristan Everett
Daniel Stephens earned the Harry Marshall Gentleman Of Cricket award.
Ben McBride was acknowledged for his First Hat Trick—contributed
