South Hedland in grand final

The 40-over competition in the Norwest Crane Hire Port Hedland Cricket Association has reached the business end of the season, with the semifinal last weekend delivering a berth in the grand final to South Hedland CC, who will now meet defending champions Wanderers CC this weekend.

Port Hedland CC won the pre-game coin toss and chose to have first use of the pitch. Captain Sam Mason opened the Port innings with a 49-ball innings of 59 runs, putting together a 75-run partnership with Travis Dent for the second wicket.

Toby O’Grady and Glenn Robertson also stood firm in the middle over putting on 39 runs, but when Robertson dragged a wide swinging delivery back on to his stumps, Port were 5-169.

The South Hedland bowlers stuck to their tasks for the duration and were rewarded with the final Port wickets for just 11 runs as Port completed their 40 overs on 194 runs.

In reply, South Hedland’s skipper Ihdar Kalzee threw the bat early at everything the Port bowlers served to him, scoring 25 runs off 23 balls, including six boundaries in a 29-run opening stand with Abu Rafferty.

Two quick scalps for Jarrad O’Dea had the Southerners reeling at 2-35 but Joel Agland and Izzy Kalzee steadied the innings in the chase for the 195 runs for a place in the grand final.

The pair remained unbeaten as South Hedland reached the target in the 33rd over, with Agland finishing on 80 not out and Kalzee on 60 not out.

The grand final will be held at Kevin Scott Oval on Saturday afternoon.