CRICKET
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
South Coast club The Rail won the NSW County Plate in Tamworth while Southern Highlands side Robertson Burrawang are into Tuesday's Country Shield decider.
The Rail thrashed defending Plate champions Cootamundra by 102 runs to claim a second NSW Country Plate crown in a decade.
Both Plate semifinals on Sunday were washed out leaving the top two seeds The Rail and Cootamundra to advance to the 50-over final.
An opening stand of 75 from top-scorers Ricky Merz (40) and Wayne Herbert (38), plus unbeaten 24 from Brett Gilly guided the Razorbacks to 9-190.
In reply, Cootamundra were rolled for just 88 off 30 overs, with Adam Johnson taking an impressive 5-20.
The Rail won the Country Plate in 2003-04 and in a great month for the club beat Lake Illawarra to win the South Coast first grade one-day title.
The Rail are also unbeaten leaders in the first grade premiership.
Meanwhile, Robertson Burrawang beat Tamworth Colts in the second-tier Country Shield to qualify for Tuesday's final against Clarence River DCA.
Batting first Robertson Burrawang made 137, with Ben Hamilton (46) top-scorer and the visitors helped by 15 Tamworth wides. Robertson bowlers James Hart (3-17), Mitch Wright (2-20) and skipper Nathan Wright (2-25) proved match-winners with Tamworth rolled for 127.
Meanwhile, Newcastle powerhouses Hamilton-Wickham and Merewether advanced to the NSW Country SCG final after contrasting wins over Coffs Harbour and Dubbo in Wollongong yesterday.
Merewether survived a huge scare in an 11-run win over Dubbo at Figtree Oval. Merewether posted 9-219, led by Simon Moore's 76, but a resolute Dubbo were only bowled out in the 49th over for 208.
Meanwhile, Jack Ireland (73) top-scored for Coffs Harbour who posted 200 against Hamilton-Wickham at North Dalton Park.
Hamilton Wickham cruised to a seven wicket win with 10 overs to spare after half centuries from Josh Trappel (53) and Mark Dries (50 not out).
The SCG Cup final is January 18, with Merewether and Hamilton-Wickham both chasing a fifth Cup victory.