Thirds win grand final

Umina District Cricket Club's Third Grade side completed their 1999/2000 season with a grand final victory against Narara, giving the club its first Third Grade Premiership for six years.

Inclement weather wreaked havoc with all grounds over the finals weekend, and saw the Grand Final reduced to 37 overs per side under difficult conditions.

Narara won the toss and batted and was in quite a comfortable position at 1/43 from 18 overs, with a competitive total looking likely.

However, some outstanding individual performances saw the Umina team turn the situation around.

Of note were the efforts of John Alchin who bowled unchanged for 18 overs and returned remarkable figures of 5/19.

Brilliant catches from Leigh Nivens and Mick Cowans, as well as crucial run-outs effected by Scott Fisher and Brendan Driscoll saw Narara restricted to a final score of 9/95.

Umina openers Gary Blake and Rob Engelshus started steadily before Blake was caught at point.

Brendan Driscoll then combined with Engelshus to push the score to 50 when Driscoll was dismissed caught at square leg.

Engelshus managed to steer his side within reach of victory, himself being dismissed for a solid 49, including one six.

Finally Mick Cowans hit the winning runs giving Umina a comprehensive victory by five wickets with five overs remaining.

Kerrie Friend