The Singleton District Cricket Association broke a decade-long drought to claim the Hunter Valley John Bull Shield (JBS) crown at the weekend.
And, the hosts did it in style, by snaring a seven-wicket victory over Newcastle Suburban District in the final at Howe Park on Sunday 1 February.
The victorious squad featured captain Jackson Cox (PCH/Glendon), Steve Abel (Creeks), Anthony Bailey (PCH/Glendon), Cooper Bailey (PCH/Glendon), Kyle Bailey (PCH/Glendon), Isaac Barry (Valley/JPC), Brandon Carman (Valley/JPC), Bradley Cox (PCH/Glendon), Luke Dempster (Valley/JPC), Nathan Hudson (Creeks), Jack Morris (Creeks), Ross Parker (Valley/JPC), Alex Stafa (Valley/JPC), Nathan Stapleford (Creeks), Daniel Storey (Valley/JPC), Jack Turner (PCH/Glendon) and Matthew Wilkinson (Valley/JPC).
Although conditions were very humid and uncomfortable for players, thankfully the haze of smoke that engulfed the arena the previous night had moved on to set the scene for a nice clear day for action.
Cox won the toss and, to a lot of people’s surprise, asked the Novocastrians to bat first.
They ticked things along steadily for the majority of the innings but really ramped it up at the back end of proceedings to post a competitive 7-245.
That’s largely due to an outstanding century from Mitch Kroehnert, who blasted an unbeaten 145 from just 113 balls.
His knock included six boundaries and 11 maximums.
Other batsmen to offer support included Varun Sharma (18), Matt White (16) and Rohan Mokal (14).
Stafa (2-68), Carman (2-65) and Cooper Bailey (2-66) picked up a brace of wickets each in expensive spells thanks to the cavalier display from Kroehnert.
Singleton required just under five an over in reply.
And, it kept the run-rate in check nicely up until lightning brought play to a halt after 27 overs with the side sitting in a commanding position at 1-127.
When the umpires decided it was safe to return, the innings was reduced to 37, with the revised Duckworth/Lewis target being 176.
The home team wasted no time in getting the job done, finishing things in a flurry in just 33.2 overs after losing two more wickets.
Parker cut the ribbon with an entertaining 31no, Jackson Cox and Abel made 35 and 20 respectively.
However, it was Brad Cox who held the innings together beautifully at the top of the order with 70, in what was a brilliant display of control and game management.
Dibyendu Mishra was the pick of the Suburban District attack with 2-32 off eight.
The man of the match honours went to Kroehnert.
It was the 21st occasion Singleton had won the John Bull Shield in the competition’s 102-year history, with the most recent of these titles occurring back in season 2015/16.
Also worth a mention is that they only lost 14 wickets across the whole tournament in four innings, batting second each time.
Singleton now contests the Country Plate Zone Final against the Northern Inland champions on Sunday 22 February.
If successful, it’ll take on the Western Division winners in the semi-final, with the decider being played possibly at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
- Mark Bercini
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