There’ll be a big party in Paterson next weekend if the town’s C grade and A grade cricket sides are successful in their respective grand finals on Saturday.
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Paterson’s A grade qualified for the big dance after downing the Port Stephens Pythons 2nd XI on Saturday in a hot clash at Kurri Central.
Paterson batted first in the sudden death preliminary final, setting up a 151 run target in 38 overs.
Ramsey Vane-Wood did the early damage contributing 24 quickfire runs, which included three fours.
He was followed by Brad Merchant, who chipped in 14 runs before being caught lbw.
Rodney Faulkner was the next big contributor, nabbing his second highest score of the season with a big-hitting 36.
Faulkner, who top-scored for the Paterson side, smacked three fours and two sixes on his way to his solid score.
In an excellent all-round display, Dean Bridges ensured Paterson’s tail wagged when he stepped in and contributed 22 runs not out towards the end of their innings.
Bridges, who did plenty of damage with the ball in hand as well, smacked four fours and a six for good measure.
With the challenge laid down, Port set to work, with opening batsman Luke Davies slogging 36 before Dean Bridges claimed his first wicket of the day, delivering a tough ball which saw Davies caught out by David Puxty.
A fierce Paterson bowling attack then tore through the Pythons batting order.
There were glimpses of hope for Port – TJ Eveleigh on 18 and Simon Dalton on 25 not out the next highest scorers – but ultimately Paterson were too good.
It was Bridges and Vane-Wood who did the damage, with four and three wickets respectively, while Russell Presland chipped in two wickets and Kurt Humphreys one.
Paterson will now take on Port Pythons’ 1st XV, the team that edged them by a single run in an incredibly tense semi-final two weeks ago.
It’ll be a big weekend for the club, with C grade taking on the Pythons as well in a double-header.
C grade enjoyed a week off after qualifying by beating Kurri two weeks ago.
A week after Paterson claimed the minor premiership with a one-wicket with against the Kookaburras, Paterson prevailed by three wickets after successfully chasing Kurri’s total of 121.
Opener Adam Kidd (36) had been watching the procession but kept his nerve and combined with Jacob Watson (32) in a match-winning 77-run partnership.
