UGSCA 2023-24: Williams to face Wandering in grand final after claiming thrilling prelim final win over Towns

A vintage performance from veteran Rodney Ford has helped Williams claim a thrilling victory in the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association A-grade preliminary final on Sunday and secure a spot in the premiership decider. Williams will face Wandering in the grand final showdown after a dogged display from captain Rodney Ford led the home side to victory over Towns in Williams. Towns batted first and were all out for 178 but a dramatic final over saw Williams snatch victory with five wickets to spare and one ball remaining. Williams needed 10 runs to win in the final over and after a single and then a bye, Rodney Ford crunched a six off Arron Quartermaine before hitting a single to give Riley Ford the strike who then scored one run to hand Williams a memorable triumph. After winning the toss Towns captain Perrin Quartermaine and James Nicholson opened for the visitors. Nicholson was run out for a duck by Williams’ Riley Ford and Michael Cowcher but the formidable Arron Quartermaine joined his cousin in the centre and the pair notched up a quick 65-run partnership. Perrin Quartermaine was trapped lbw by Rodney Ford for 22 but another solid stand between Arron Quartermaine and Nick Corner helped get their side to past 100. Mitchell Hogg had Arron Quartermaine (80) out lbw and Corner was caught and bowled soon after to leave Towns 4-137. Broc Titko (3-29) and Michael Forman (2-35) helped Williams bowl the visitors out for 178 in the final over of the innings while Rodney Ford was superb in his 10 overs to return 1-17. With a decent chase ahead Garth Nottle and Robert Rose strode out to open for Williams. Towns kept it tight but Williams were able to post 42 runs before Nottle (32) was trapped lbw by Arron Quartermaine. Rose was also removed by Arron Quartermaine for eight and when Titko fell to Liam Renton for eight, the home side was 3-53 and in need of a partnership. Rodney Ford and Forman made slow ground as Arron Quartermaine and Wintle kept it fast and tight. Forman made 14 runs before he was caught by Arron Quartermaine off a delivery from Sam Ellis. Toby Lavender and Rodney Ford put their heads down to form a vital partnership until Ellis bowled Lavender (20) to leave Williams 5-112 in the 36th over. Aware of what was needed Riley Ford and Rodney Ford made the most of every ball in and in the 40th over Rodney Ford made a valuable 13 runs. Another boundary from Rodney Ford improved the odds but with two overs remaining the match was on the line. The Ford pair however kept their nerve as they secured a five-wicket win in the final over, setting up another clash with Wandering in the grand final. Rodney Ford was unbeaten on 67 from 70 balls, including three sixes, while Riley Ford chipped in with 19 not out from 29 balls. Arron Quartermaine returned 2-51 from 9.5 overs while Ellis (2-23) also snared two wickets.