West Pilbara take C-grade title in country week

West Pilbara returned north with mixed results after sending teams for the top grade as well as C and D sections to Perth for senior country week.

In the A-grade competition, West Pilbara 1 took a loss in the round 1 finals against Upper Great Southern 1 who ultimately won by three wickets.

Redeeming themselves in the round 2 finals, West Pilbara 1 secured a win against South Midlands 1 defeating the team by 7 wickets (3-184).

“This was a good result for West Pilbara, keeping their spot in A section and Seabrook making 50 not out,” WA Cricket regional cricket manager Darcy Middleton said.

“The A section is pretty strong, most associations like Busselton, Margaret River, Albany and Bunbury have bigger populations, so to make a final with their third team in D section is also a very good effort.”

West Pilbara 2 reigned supreme throughout the week in the senior men’s C section, coming away undefeated and winning the grade.

Starting off strong in round 1 against Port Hedland 1, West Pilbara 2 clinched the win by 82 runs.

On a roll, West Pilbara 2 defeated Bunbury & Districts 3 by 134 runs in round 2, Warren Blackwood 1 by 91 runs in round 3 and Albany 3 in finals round 1 by eight wickets.

Finishing the week on a high in finals round 2, West Pilbara 2 had a close game with Port Hedland 1 and ultimately came out on top, winning by 4 runs.

“A highlight of C section was Shane Edwards playing his 100th country week game in the grand final against Port Hedland,” team manager Brooke Ball said.

“Pegs Creek duo, Ben Cattani (10 wickets) and Matt Smith (9) finished in the top 5 bowlers in the grade.

“Brayden Blackwell only being 15 years old played a very solid role in the bowling cartel picking up 7 wickets at an average of 15.57.”

West Pilbara 3 performed well across most rounds in D section, starting strong in finals round 1 against Bunbury & Districts 4 with a win by 41 runs.

Unable to keep up the winning streak, West Pilbara 3 were defeated by Busselton Margaret River 2 in finals round 2 by 152 runs.