Nymagee claims minor premiership

Nymagee has finished as the minor premiers of the 40 Overs Senior Cricket competition after defeating Empire by five wickets on Saturday at Nymagee.

Their win also saw them claim the Bert Oldfield Cup and a seat in the grand final.

Once again, this season Nymagee lost the toss out at Nymagee and Empire took advantage by choosing to bat first.

Empire posted a very competitive total of 4/289 runs from their 40 overs.

Opener Clay Neale top scored with 94 runs before he was eventually stumped in the 40th over while going for his century.

Neale shared in two 100-plus runs partnerships with Jake Harbison, who made 78, and then with Robbie Mitchell, who made 77.

While Nymagee couldn’t make inroads to the batting line up, they did well to restrict Empire to seven runs per over on the fast Nymagee outfield.

In reply, Nymagee chased down the required total in the 38th over with five wickets in hand.

Opener Mitchell Holt anchored the Nymagee innings top scoring with 92 runs.

He combined with Phil Harley (68) to share in a 125 run partnership.

When Holt and Harley got out within two runs of each other and Nymagee still needed a further 81 runs from 11 overs, Empire was right back in the game.

However Nymagee captain Jade Buckman (35 not out) combined with the Nicholsons, Steve (21) and Matt (3no) to get Nymagee home.

Empire will play Golf Club this Saturday with the winner to meet Nymagee in the grand final in a fortnight.—contributed