Josh Meldrum has defied the age old adage that men can’t multi-task.
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The Taree West skipper made a small cameo in the side’s five-wicket win over northern counterparts Port Pirates as he was attending a wedding the same day.
“That’s how cricket should be played,” he laughed.
Taree West were set a target of 118, which was soon revised to 111 from 38 overs due to several rain delays.
They chased it down with 11 overs to spare. Ryan Williams was the pick of the batsmen, smashing 41 which included three fours and a maximum. Meldrum was happy with the side’s performance throughout the contest.
“The boys dug deep, they bowled nice and tight and batted well.”
The win spells the end of their Mid North Coast Premier Cricket League campaign for 2018. Meldrum believes the side can take a lot of positives from the season.
“We were still in contention right to the end,” he said.
“We’ve only got ourselves to blame.”
He noted that Taree West toppled competition frontrunners and now finalists Wingham, United and Macquarie during the season.
“There were three games that we should have won though,” he said.
He is hopeful the side will have a shot at the finals next season. “Hopefully we can pick up a few players before the season starts,” he said.
Taree West finished in fifth place, missing out on a finals spot on percentage.
Momentum before finals berth
United will enter the first Premier League finals series with momentum after accounting for Rovers in round 18.
Rain pushed play back half an hour, with skipper Ricky Campbell winning the toss and electing to bat.
He was the first player to exit after a solid knock of 21 runs.
Rover Luke Fuller then claimed the scalps of Zac Sheather and Danial Stone to put United at 3/36.
Tom Burley (26) and Josh Ferris (31) worked through many overs the salvage the innings.
A handy knock of 18 from Jordi Gilfillan helped the side to a first innings total of 152.
United’s Jackson Witts tore into the Rovers top order in their reply, picking up three wickets.
Sam Whitbread, Sheather, Stone and Campbell combined to bowl out the Rovers for 101.
“We bowled well early on,” Campbell said.
“We looked good on Saturday which will put us right heading into the finals.”
With the final round complete, minor premiers Macquarie will take on Wauchope RSL in the first semifinal.
At least one former Manning first grade side will advance to the grand final with Wingham and United facing off in the other semi final at a venue to be confirmed.
