Hay Cricket Club complete undefeated Creet Cup season

Hay has enjoyed a flawless season in Creet Cup competition. Pictured are Dean Aylett, Jensen Hargreaves, Jack Cattanach, Will Simpson, Zac O’Neill, Rupert Lilburne, Simon Bunyan.Front: Mick Cattanach, Tom McGufficke, Liam Whitbourne, Isaac Gardiner, Kazi Islam, Lenny, Rylah and Maisie Bunyan. Image: supplied.

By Mick Cattanach - March 6, 2024

Hay Cricket’s senior representative team has finished the Creet Cup season undefeated for the first time in 28 years, after a strong win over Ardlethan/Barellan at home on Sunday.

After taking the Creet Cup from Griffith in the first challenge of the year, Hay has been able to beat all other challenges, including a return challenge from Griffith.

This saw Hay finish the season undefeated holders of the Cup.

The game on Sunday saw Ardlethan/Barellan win the toss and choose to bat, seeing off the first five overs without loss.

However, with the score on 14, Will Simpson struck trapping one of the batsman LBW, as he hit a tough length.

This provided good support for Rupert Lilburne, who was also getting the batsman hopping.

Not to be denied, Rupert in the next over also trapped a batsman LBW, and then Will lured a false short to see a catch hit to Dean Aylett at mid-on.

Ardlethan/Barellan at three for 20 were in some trouble but a brief partnership got them to 36 before a change of bowling saw Simon Bunyan clean bowl the skipper.

With no change in the score Jack Cattanach joined the attack and got the batsman to chip a catch to Rupert at mid-wicket.

From this point Simon and Jack turned the screws on the batsman with runs hard to come by as they consistently took wickets, picking up three and four wickets respectively over the next 10 overs.

When Jack bowled the Ardlethan/Barellan top scorer for 17, to finish the innings, they had got to only 61.

An efficient performance by the Hay bowlers and fielders who had shown the best discipline and energy of the season, throughout the innings.

Chasing a small total, Hay supporter’s hearts were in their mouths when Jensen Hargreaves was caught at mid wicket+ without a run scored.

Dean Aylett was soon to follow as he was bowled, with the Ardlethan/Barellan opening bowlers doing a good job of hitting a good length and challenge the batsman.

At lunch Hay had got to 2 for 17 off 10 overs, on top but still with work to do.

After the break Liam was clean bowled by a yorker with the score on 25.

However, this bought Simon Bunyan and Rupert Lilburne together.

Despite some good bowling and some nervous moments the two of them successfully negotiated the run chase gathering the total in by over 30.

Running out comfortable winners by seven wickets, a departure from some of the other tight games during the season, reflected the Hay teams dominance on the day.

The leadership of skipper Simon Bunyan throughout the season has been crucial to the team’s success and the willingness of all players to commit and put the training work in, has ensured Hay Cricket’s history making season.

Ardlethan/Barellan 61 all out (J Cattanach 4/9, S Bunyan 3/16, W Simpson 2/19) were defeated by Hay 3/62 (S Bunyan 32 not out, L Whitbourne 12, R Lilburne 10 not out).