Browns book Grand Final berth

Defending champion Kensington fended off Sturt in a thrilling semi-final to earn a spot in this week’s Women’s First Division Grand Final.

The Browns opted to bat first and bounced back valiantly after losing openers Bridget Patterson for a golden duck and Eliza Doddridge for just 3 to Brooke Harris’ (4-17) hand.

Indira Panelli (33 of 109) anchored Kensington’s innings on the first drop, after which the Browns were eventually bowled for 115.

Sturt struggled similarly in the early stages of his innings, with openers Emma de Broughe and Alex Price both leaving for nothing. The Blues stabilized and appeared to have the hunt in hand at 6-100 but lost their last four wickets for just 11 runs to miss the target.

Kensington meets Adelaide in the women’s first division decider this Sunday at the Karen Rolton Oval. Game starts at 10:30 a.m.

Three of the four finalists in the West End men’s first class Competition ended the small round at the weekend with victories.

Kensington will go into the final as heavy favorites after another convincing win, beating East Torrens by six wickets at the Parkinson Oval. A consistent contribution with the ball saw the Browns edge the Reds out for just 129, and although Kensington broke to 2-4 early in the pursuit, Kensington reached the target total within 26 overs.

Adelaide University earned a two-wicket win over the Northern Districts at the Salisbury Oval. Liam Greber (4-49) grabbed four scalps as the Jets went for 245, but neither hitter had made the most of their start. Conversely, the university duo Sam Kerber (84) and Sunam Gautam (73) led a strong partnership to lead their team to victory despite an 18:5 defeat in the final stages of the comeback.

Daniel Fallins continued his fine season with a brilliant six-wicket entry West Torrens victory over Southern District. It was Fallins’ second five-wicket return of the season that helped hold the Stingrays to a total of 214 first-innings small round for the Eagles.

A first-class inning from Darren Ironside (130*) inspired Tea Tree Gully to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Prospect. Ironside faced 232 deliveries and hit 12 limits, along with Thomas Jackson (73) to chase the Pirates’ 273 total, with the Bulls narrowly missing out on finals qualification.

Woodville ended his 2022-23 summer with a win by beating Sturt by seven wickets at home. Blues skipper Brad Davis, 65, chimed in as usual, but Sturt only collected 162 after being asked to bat first. Woodville openers Conor McInerney (67) and Brodie Rimmer (64) put the result beyond doubt with a 117-run first-wicket partnership to seal a strong win for the Peckers.

Glenelg won the first innings win over Adelaide, but Adelaide secured the opposite, taking ten points. Thomas Draca (5-50) called for a five-fa to hold the Bays down to just 132, but the Buffalos failed to capitalize at first, falling to 107 in response when Harry Conway (5-32) made his own five-wicket Haul caught. Samuel Scrimgeour’s 82 then helped Adelaide chase Glenelg’s declared total in the second innings.

Finalists Port Adelaide had the bye in the final small round of the season.