KOORINGAL Colts will meet South Wagga in the Wagga cricket grand final after the Colts scored a five-wicket win over Wagga City.
The Colts booked their place in this weekend’s grand final after chasing down the Cats’ big total of 8-297.
With Dave Bolton scoring 147, Kooringal comfortably reeled in the runs with more than six overs to spare.
Batting first, the Cats were in big trouble at 6-73 before captain Jon Nicoll and Dean Crane rescued their innings.
Nicoll finished up beaten on 151 while Crane made 79 before becoming one of Bolton’s three victims.
The pair put on 186 for the seventh wicket to leave Kooringal with a big chase.
However the Cats bowlers didn’t make enough inroads as the Colts got on top early on the second day.
Kooringal started their run chase well with openers Tom Cox (19) and Bolton.
Will Morley (29) continued their impressive chase before Ben Webster came to the crease.
Webster and Bolton put on 111 before Webster was caught by Jack Harper off Josh Thompson for 49.
Despite the Cats recovery making things a little harder, Colts’ captain Keenan Hanigan was thrilled his team secured a grand final berth.
“To play in a grand final is just awesome and I know all the boys are really excited,” Hanigan said.
“We really can’t wait for the week to start.”
Despite the good start with the ball, Nicoll and Crane almost took away their advantage.
Hanigan was disappointed to let the Cats back in the contest, but after he injured his shoulder when fielding a ball thought the understrength bowling attack did a good job.
“It was disappointing as they we had 6-70 and they ended up getting 297 and we were down a bowler after I done my shoulder in the field,” Hanigan said.
“It was a real hard day in the end as our pace bowlers had to dig in at the end and were really stuffed by the end of it.”
Hanigan is confident will be fit to play in the grand final.
After two losses coming into the finals, the Colts have turned around the season.
Most of the change can be put down to Bolton who has stood tall in both must-win finals matches.
Hanigan couldn’t be more impressed with the all-rounder.
“Dave and Tommy Cox got us off to a good start and every batter that batted chipped in and done their job,” Hanigan said.
“Dave Bolton, to his credit, stuck ib and got 147 and he’s really dug deep for the last couple of weeks.
“It shows what a quality player he is.”
In a show of the clubs strength, Kooringal have qualified for three senior grand finals next weekend.
The first and second grade teams had wins over Wagga City in their respective preliminary finals with third grade defeating Wagga RSL on Saturday.
Fourth grade missed out after falling to St Michaels by 14 runs.
