The A Grade Kelly Cup Competition was determined on March 9 when the Parkes Cambridge defeated Parkes Colts in the final of the five-team Lachlan Premier Cricket Competition.

Reedy Creek Raptors too strong for Reedy Creek

After steady rain on Friday evening prior to Saturday's final threatened to put Woodward Oval out of action the game went ahead at the headquarters of Parkes Cricket at Woodward Oval.

Energetic work by Parkes Sports Council staff and Parkes cricketers to put out the covers over the wicket ensured that a very well prepared wicket was available to play the final.

The final was also a re-match of the 2017/18 Coolabah Cup Grand Final between the two Reedy Creek affiliated sides, Raptors and Reedy Creek.

At Woodward Oval: The scores were: Raptors 2/172 off 30 overs (Scott Knights 91no, Jacob Hutchings 57no, Ben Coultas 15, Ryan Dunn 2/16 off 6) defeated Reedy Creek 10/85 off 25.4 overs (Shane Jessep 41, Grant Dunn 28, Luke Nash 4/9 off 6, Jacob Hutchings 2/12 off 2, Josh Miles 2/2 off 1 and Ken Keith 1/2 off 0.4 overs).

The Raptors scored a convincing victory after splendid batting by Scott Knights (91no) and Jacob Hutchings (56no) to total 2/172 after their allocated 30 overs.

Raptors started their innings slowly and lost two early wickets as their score stood at 2/26 after 8 overs.

Ryan Dunn (2/16) bowled tightly and collected both wickets and showed why he is a highly regarded young cricketer.

However, the unbeaten third wicket partnership featuring Scott Knights and Jacob Hutchings proved to be the difference, both batsmen demonstrated their batting talent hitting many powerful and well-timed shots against a quality Reedy Creek bowling line-up.

Indeed, Scott Knight's excellent innings gained a special tribute from Reedy Creek's Stuart Milne (awarded the Coolabah Cup Batting aggregate award with 526 runs).

Stuart suggested that Scott's innings of 91no was one of the finest innings he has ever seen played in a final.

In response to the sizeable total of 2/172 Reedy Creek made good early progress in their run chase until they collapsed to be all out for 85.

Shane Jessep (31) and Grant Dunn (28) combined well as they posted 62 runs for the 1st wicket partnership off just 12 overs.

Reedy Creek were than unable to build off the strong foundation established from their opening batsmen as Luke Nash put in a devastating spell of bowling to capture 4/9 off 6 overs and was very well supported by Jacob Hutchings who claimed 2/12 off 6 overs.

Reedy Creek's score stood at 7/80 after 23 overs as the delighted, Josh Miles took career best figures of 2/2 off 1 and Mayor Ken Keith took the final wicket as Raptors celebrated premiership victory.

The Coolabah Cup Final was umpired by Trevor Chatman and Glenn Pepper who awarded Scott Knights with the Player of the Match trophy after his brilliant batting performance.

Parkes Hotel Pythons win exciting final over gallant Star Hotel

At Harrison Park: The scores were; Star Hotel 10/123 off 22.4 overs (Matt Clarke 59 off 45 balls, Andrew Bourke 27 off 21 balls, Mitch Townsend 10, Adam Ashford 2/19 off 4 & Grant Gaut 5/13 off 4.4 overs) lost to Parkes Hotel Pythons 5/126 off 27.2 overs (Joe Van Opynen 93no off 90 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes, Michael Hocking 12, Matthew Clarke 2/21 off 6 and Tobey Thorne 1/20 off 6).

Parkes Hotel Pythons won by five wickets to win the Radiola Cup Premiership for 2018/19. The match was umpired by Greg Morrissey and Shane Jones.

Batting first Star Hotel soon demonstrated that they were after quick runs.

After losing some early wickets Matt Clarke who enjoyed a fair share of good luck blasted plenty of powerful aggressive shots to smash 59 runs before being caught by a splendid outfield catch taken by Grant Gaut.

Andrew Bourke in scoring 27 runs also looked to be in good form, Pythons player Dylan Manks executed a brilliant direct hit run out to assist his team.

Grant Gaut after taking his fine catch then chimed in to secure the splendid bowling figures of 5/13 off 4.4 overs to skittle the tail end of Star Hotel.

With Star failing to bat out their full allocated 30 overs this did not assist their premiership hopes.

A unique cricketing occurrence took place early in the Pythons innings as a father/son situation resulted in Pythons openers being Frank (father) Van Opynen and Joe (son) Van Opynen having to defy the bowling of Stars Dane (father) Thorne and Tobey (son) Thorne.

Indeed, Frank Van Opynen did well to play a straight bat to get through the early overs of the innings before Michael Hocking joined Joe Van Opynen.

Both players batted patiently to defy some good bowling especially from Matt Clarke who bowled without much luck.

As his innings progressed, Joe Van Opynen began to play a wide range of run scoring shots to dominate the match in his top innings that aw him awarded the man of the match award determined by the umpires.

At the conclusion of the finals, Parkes and District Cricket Association conducted a very pleasant, well-attended presentation ceremony at the Parkes Leagues Club where winners for the 2018/19 season were announced and presented with trophies.

Coolabah Cup

Radiola Cup

Most Catches - Brett Hutchings (Galahs) - 17 catches

Under 21s

Championship Player - Matthew Clarke (Star Hotel)

President's Awards - Dan Gordon, Jake Foran, Mal Bruce and Dylan Morgan

Presentation of Grand Final Winners

The executive of PDCA trusts that players, officials and supporters have enjoyed their cricket during the 2018/19 season and looks forward to seeing you back for the 2019/20 season.