Australs hold on to final over nail-biter against Frankland River

Australs North held on in a thriller against Frankland River at home in round 11 of the Great Southern Cricket Association on Saturday. Batting first, Australs North posted 7-174 and the task was going to be tough for Frankland. But they produced a spirited effort in reply, with the game decided in the final over. Frankland fell to 5-43 in the run chase before Clinton Masters fought his way through cramps to end the collapse and take his side towards an unlikely victory. Masters was unbeaten on 78 and took the game into the final over but his side fell four runs short of victory, finishing on 7-171. Lee Casson (17 runs) and Cameron Lawson (10) made handy contributions to help Masters. Batting first Australs started strongly with the openers putting on a 63-run-partnership, before Frankland took 4-14 at one stage to put the home side on the back foot. However, Michael Dark steadied the ship alongside David Potter as they blasted their way to an 83-run partnership to push the home side to a strong total from its 45 overs. Dark ended up on 50 not out, with the veteran all-rounder bringing up his half-century on the final ball of the innings, while Potter made 35. Matt Della Gola took 3-32 for Frankland and Masters snared 2-22 off his nine overs. Broomehill jumped above Kendenup into second spot after destroying them by seven wickets in Kendenup on Saturday. A clinical bowling performance from Broomehill helped bowl Kendenup out for a dismal 68. Despite a fighting 44 from Mitch Jackson, no other Kendenup batsmen reached double figures, and six made ducks. Jack Batchelor claimed 3-14 from nine overs in a great display of bowling while Andrew Gibbons took 2-1 off two overs, Sam Richardson finished with 2-8 off five overs, and Ethan Caldwell returned 2-11. In reply, Broomehill lost three wickets in the run chase but finished comfortable winners after chasing down the total in 18 overs, finishing on 3-69. Richardson was unbeaten on 20, while Batchelor and Gibbons added 13 and 10 respectively. Jackson snared 2-16 from seven overs. Tambellup and Wanderers had a bye.