Sport
10 February, 2025
Kulpi go back to back
Kulpi Cricket Club has won its second successive Central Downs Cricket Association title holding off Pittsworth for a 10-run win at the Oakey Cricket Ground on Sunday.
On a cool, overcast, windy day in Oakey, the best team of the summer cemented its dominance with a victory over Pittsworth on grand final day.
Spectators from Millmerran, Pittsworth, Kulpi, Bowenville and surrounding districts descended on Lorrimer Street for an entertaining day of cricket.
Balls were hit into the Council Works Depot site a few times, causing brief delays in play while the fielders retrieved the ball.
In the morning, Millmerran and Pittsworth faced off for the right to contest the Grand Final.
The toss was won by Pittsworth who elected to field first.
At the completion of 20 overs Millmerran reached 8 for 98 thanks to Alex Sinclair 29 (run out going for a second run), Trent Mullins 19, Lachlan Folker 14, and 11 sundries.
Fall Of Wickets (F.O.W.): 1-16 (Jimmy Sinclair), 2–52 (Trent Mullins), 3–62 (Alex Sinclair), 4–65 (Dominic Briggs), 5–87 (Lachlan Folker), 6–92 (Stephen Lindeque), 7–92 (Samuel Folker), and 8–97 (Daniel Farrington).
Best bowlers for Pittsworth, Daniel York 2–7 (3), Jordan O’Shea 2–20 (4), Brett Wilson 1–10 (3), Shane Power 1–13 (3).
In reply Pittsworth chased down the runs in the 17th over for the loss of 3 wickets.
Sam McGinn was 36 not out, Ben Cavanagh 30, and Brett Wilson 19.
F.O.W.: 1–8 (O’Shea), 2-48 (Ben Cavanagh), 3-98 (Brett Wilson). For the record, Trent Mullins took 2 for 24 off 4. Nathan Lindeque 1–13 (2).
After the lunch break, Minor Premiers Kulpi gathered at the ground to defend their crown in the Grand Final.
Pittsworth won the toss and captain Jordan O’Shea sent Kulpi in to bat.
After 20 overs the score was 6-150 thanks to Braith Gamberini 74, Marcus Frizzell 17, Harley Warrener 16, Josh Midolo 16, and Josh Young 8 not out.
Gamberini survived a loud early caught behind appeal, which was adjudged to be bat hitting pitch, to lay into the Pittsworth bowling and provide the backbone of Kulpi’s total.
F.O.W. 1-8 (Cory Dioth), 2–34 (Marcus Frizzell), 3–76 (Harley Warrener), 4-125 (Josh Midolo), 5-134 (Kye Martin), 6–143 (Braith Gamberini).
Bowling for Pittsworth, Daniel York 3-19 (3), Brett Wilson 1-18 (3), Jordan O’Shea 1-31 (3) and Dominic Kirby 1-36 (4).
In reply, Pittsworth was on track for its first premiership in many years, thanks to Jordan O’Shea who made 72 with a combination of some big hitting and deft touch to manipulate the field.
The grand final changed when he was out to a very good catch at square leg by Harley Warrener.
Daniel York tried hard to keep the score board ticking over with 23 not out but the lower order batters were unable to turn over the strike.
Brett Wilson made 16 and Sam McGinn made a patient 13 opening the batting.
Pittsworth finished its 20 overs on 7-140, just 10 runs short of the title.
F.O.W.: 1-60 (Samuel McGinn), 2-64 (Benjamin Cavanagh), 3–88 (Brett Wilson), 4-95 (Thomas O’Sullivan), 5-122 (Jordan O’Shea), 6-135 (William Hanlon), 7-136 (Brady Manktelow).
Bowling for Kulpi, Braith Gamberini 2-13 (2), Jake Spies 1-12 (3), Kye Martin 1-15 (2), Sonny McCormack 1-22 (3), Marcus Frizzell 1-28 (4).
Braith Gamberini was named Player of the Final.
Profits from the contest went to host Bowenville to fund the renovation of the club’s cricket pitch, which was the reason Oakey was chosen as the venue.
Toowoomba Cricket Umpires Owen Sperling and Mick Carmody travelled to Oakey to officiate (Sperling having a connection to the Fiechtner Shield through wife Janet).
