The Kingston Crows A Grade team advanced to the HCCA Grand Final after completing one of the great come from behind victories against Slab Road on their home ground last Saturday.

The Roadies elected to bat first and once again we were unable to move their skipper, Stuart Clark, who notched his third century against our attack this season. We were well placed when they were 2/34 but Clark and Brad Thomas advanced the score to 122 before Thomas fell. With a reasonably steady stream of wickets we were right back in the game at 7/176 before Slab’s late order batsmen assisted Clark to take the score to 242 when they were all out off the final delivery of the 50^th over. Jamie Knott took 3/57 and Dale Punshon 2/40. Punshon’s wickets took him past the 35 wicket criteria that sees him cash in on our Club Incentive.

The target on the big Cygnet oval was always going to be a huge challenge and when we lost our 2^nd wicket in the 2^nd over with only 1 run on the board that target looked insurmountable. Brett Stevenson then survived a life before we had added to that total. This was to prove the turning point of the game as firstly he and Joel Palmer added 40 for the 3^rd wicket and then he and Jamie Knott added a further 44 for the 4^th wicket before Knott fell to a sharp slips catch to leave us 4/85. Marc Owen then joined Stevenson at the wicket and a partnership developed. With some good shot selection and surprisingly excellent running between the wickets by the two senior statesmen they began to make inroads to the target. After 40 overs we required 50 odd runs for victory with that pair still at the crease and the boys starting to realize that victory was within their grasp. Knowing that a wicket at that stage could swing the game back to the Roadies advantage they seized the opportunity and actually lifted their run rate. Marc was dismissed in the 46^th over for a chanceless 63 that included 5 boundaries and plenty of running between wickets. At that point we only required 4 runs for victory as the pair had added 154 for the 5^th wicket. Victory was achieved 4 balls later with Stevenson remaining 120no which included 15 4s and 1 6. His innings will be long remembered by all those in attendance and was truly one of the great final’s knocks.

This victory means that all of our four teams will be participating in their respective Grand Finals this coming weekend (27^th March). A grade take on North Huon at Ranelagh, B1 are at home to Slab Road, B2 will host Huonville at Kettering and C2 host Kettering at Huonville.

Saturday night will be a big night at the club rooms so the players can have a quiet little drink and reflect on their season. On Sunday we will hold a Family Day that will incorporate our Best & Fairest counts.

The Club has never had four teams participating in Grand Finals on the same day and we wish all of those teams the best of luck and hope they can all enjoy the taste of victory.