Frankland River gain finals edge

Frankland River made a big pre-finals statement, knocking off minor premiers Tambellup in the last regular round of Great Southern Cricket Association competition last Saturday. Going into round 13, the final four were decided and the match between top-two sides Tambellup and Frankland was effectively a dead rubber. The two sides will meet again in Saturday’s second semifinal, with a place in the grand final up for grabs. Muhammad Salman and Kim Lange led the way with the bat for Frankland and they held their nerve with the ball to take plenty of confidence into the finals. Frankland were in early trouble at 2-13 before Salman and Lange came together at the crease and helped set the platform for their seventh win of the season. The pair combined for 119 runs to take their side to 3-132 when Lange was removed for 50. Salman was dismissed soon after for 59 off 108 balls but his side passed 150 as they ended up 7-166 from their 45 overs. In search of some momentum heading into finals, Tambellup’s batsmen did the opposite as they lost 7-41. Openers Flynn Cristinelli and Jedd Herbert started solidly but their middle order failed to fire. The minor premiers went from 1-34 to 8-87 before Daniel Willmott and Daniel Nazzari had shared in a fighting 43-run partnership. It was too little too late, however, as Tambellup finished 9-130 in reply, with Nazzari making an unbeaten 25. Nathan Waterman took 3-7 and Lee Carson claimed two scalps for Frankland in the 36-run win. The GSCA finals start on Saturday as Tambellup host Frankland River at Tambellup Sports Ground as the first and second-ranked teams face off to secure a direct berth in the grand final. The winner will enjoy a week off while the loser will head into next week’s preliminary final. Kendenup and Broomehill, who finished third and fourth, will meet in Saturday’s elimination first semifinal at Kendenup Sports Ground. The winner advances through to the preliminary final and it will be season over for the loser of that fixture.