Frankland River end Great Southern Cricket Association season on a high with B-grade premiership victory

Frankland River have put a disappointing regular season behind them by claiming the Great Southern Cricket Association B-grade premiership on Saturday.

After losing the A-grade grand final last season, Frankland River finished on the bottom of the standings in 2020-21, but hit back to play off in the B-grade decider against fifth-placed Australs-North, at Top Oval in Katanning.

A terrific bowling performance helped set up a small run chase before Frankland held their nerve with the bat to win by six wickets.

Australs-North were restricted to 9-112 from their 45 overs batting first as Josh Egerton-Warburton claimed three wickets for Frankland River.

Egerton-Warburton finished with 3-21 off his nine overs and was well supported by Brian Kent (2-17 from nine overs) to help nullify their opponents.

Opener James Douglas top-scored for Australs-North with 35, while Declan O’Neill (18) and Kris Norris (15) did their best to help the home side set a winning total.

It was not all smooth sailing for Frankland River in reply as they slipped to 4-71, but Clinton Masters ensured his side emerged with the title.

Masters anchored the innings with his unbeaten 44 from 92 balls and his 41-run stand with Kim Lange was the difference in the end, as Frankland River passed the total in the 33rd over with the loss of four wickets.

Openers Kent (14) and Grant Egerton-Warburton (12) also chipped in with the bat in the premiership win.

Tyrone Roe was the pick of the bowlers for Australs-North snaring 2-31 from six overs.