Irvine century sends Broomehill to finals

The Great Southern Cricket Association final four is now set after round 12 action was washed out last Saturday. A top-of-the-table clash between Tambellup and Frankland River will be played this weekend but will not affect the ladder positions given Tambellup have a comfortable buffer over Frankland, with a loss not preventing Tambellup from taking out the minor premiership. Kendenup, who finished third, will face Broomehill in a semifinal, while Tambellup and Frankland will face off for the right to host the grand final. The winner of Kendenup v Broomehill will tackle the loser of the Tambellup v Frankland game in a preliminary final, for the other grand final spot. Broomehill won the play-off to finish fourth and Kendenup are in third place on the standings. Wanderers, who finished fifth, will face the winless Australs-Woodanilling in the B-grade final. Broomehill and Wanderers brought their round 13 game a week forward and played it on Sunday after Saturday’s round 12 fixtures were washed out because of rain. A brilliant century from Broomehill’s Steve Irvine has helped his side secure a finals berth. Irvine made a superb 124 not out to help his side secure an A-grade finals berth and push Wanderers into the B-grade final against Australs-Woodanilling. Irvine came to the crease at 2-51 when Jack Batchelor was removed for 34, as Irvine and Ethan Caldwell put on 91 together to get their side to 3-142 before Caldwell fell on 27. A 115-run partnership from Sam Richardson and Irvine helped Broomehill reach an impressive 4-268. A superb 94 from Wanderers batsman Ryan Pontillo was not enough to chase down the victory target as his side lost fourth spot as a result. Pontillo was the ninth wicket to fall but his side were bowled out for 218 in reply. Wayne Newbey took 3-22 and was well supported by Batchelor (3-26) and Richardson (2-6) in the Broomehill victory.