UNITED are through to the Manning first grade cricket grand final after the second day's play in the major semi-final against Old Bar at Chatham Park was abandoned.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, United was well placed to down Old Bar after scoring 190 in their innings. Old Bar was struggling at 8/140 with all their recognised batsmen dismissed. United, as minor premier, gained a saloon passage through to the grand final after the match was called off.
United skipper Ricky Campbell won the toss and elected to bat. Openers David Burley and Laurie Weeks gave the side a solid start, with Weeks making 43 and Burley 21.
Campbell contributed 40 and United looked well set at 2/130. However, young spin bowler Brendan Fuller put Old Bar back in the match when he tore through the middle order. United slumped to be 9/160 while Fuller had a five wicket haul.
Then there was another change to the match. The last wicket pair of Jackson Witts and Tom Burley added an invaluable 30 to take the score to a competitive 190.
Old Bar opener Michael Rees slammed 23 in the time remaining and he looked in ominous form as Old Bar made it to 30 without loss.
Witts removed Rees in the second over on the way to taking five wickets as Old Bar's innings failed to build momentum.
David Rees and Ben Cole both made it into the 30s, but no batsman was able to get on top of the consistent United attack.
Old Bar will now meet Wingham in next weekend's final.
