UGSCA 2023-24: Lake Grace smash pacesetters Wandering in boilover while Williams beat Cuballing in thriller

Bottom-placed Lake Grace caused the upset of the season after belting ladder-leading Wandering in round 13 of the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday. With three rounds to go, Lake Grace put a dent in Wandering’s hopes of a minor premiership after storming to a 104-run victory at home on Saturday. After posting a competitive 186 in their first innings, Lake Grace let their bowling do the talking, ripping through Wandering’s line-up and rolling them for just 82 inside 26 overs. Dylan Brooks spearheaded Lake Grace’s bowling cartel, claiming 4-20 from six overs, while opener Mitchell Smith took 3-25 from eight overs. Wandering’s Blake Egerton-Warburton scored 15 at the top of the order, while Brock Page scored an unbeaten 19 with the tail. After winning the toss and electing to bat, it was again Smith (48 not out) and Brooks (38) who led the way for Lake Grace. Smith’s innings included five boundaries and he was involved in three separate partnerships worth at least 25. Henry Blechynden was Wandering’s pick of the bowlers with 3-4 from two overs. In the other game of the round, a 35-run 10th wicket partnership steered Williams to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Cuballing in Williams on Saturday. At 9-105 chasing 140 for victory, Williams looked destined to suffer an agonising defeat before Toby Lavender (70 not out) and Steven Ford (six not out) combined for the match-winning stand, reeling in the total with three overs to spare. Earlier, Williams slumped to 5-30 before Michael Forman (24) joined Lavender at the crease for a crucial 66-run partnership. Lavender’s sensational innings included seven fours and a six, while Forman belted four boundaries. Cuballing pacer Grady Francis led his side’s bowling attack, claiming 4-13 from 10 overs, while Joe Dowling and Thomas Fleay each took two wickets. After winning the toss and batting, Cuballing scored 139 before they were dismissed in the 44th over. Blair Forrest top-scored with an unbeaten 37 and Dowling chipped in with 32. Williams’ Riley Ford took 3-32 from 8.1 overs and Forman snared 2-33 from eight.