The fairytale return of Bogan Gate to the time honoured Grinsted Cup abruptly ended on Sunday when the Rampant Rabbits went down to West Wyalong by 35 runs at Woodward Oval.
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Winning the toss and choosing to bowl, the game was looking eerily like the preceding Grinsted Cup game Bogan Gate had played against Parkes, with wickets tumbling early.
Rabbits openers Andrew Britt (4/17) and Phil Dunford (3/32) picked up where they left off in that game, removing the top three by the seventh over for just 14 runs before West Wyalong then plunged to 5/30 in the 17th over.
From there, Bogan Gate completely let their foot off the pedal, as Bryce Koop (26) and Josh Ross-Carroll (35*) smashed the bowlers all around Woodward Oval.
Koop was particularly threatening with a couple of towering sixes; one hitting the grandstand roof and the other landing dangerous close to a tennis court full of children.
The introduction of talented young medium pacer Ryan Dunford (2/20) into the attack then reaped immediate rewards, when he removed Cam Rowling (2) with a straight one in his third over.
The West Wyalong tail, unfortunately for the Rabbits, continued to wag with Scott Lemon (17) and Tom Ross-Carroll (10) lifting the side to 125, bowled out in the 44th over.
Britt was pretty succinct when asked about the fielding and bowling effort; particularly disappointing after they had reduced West Wyalong to 7/41 at one point.
"Yep, not good - we were a few batters short I think," said Britt.
"We let them get a roll on and went a bit flat in the field."
In reply Bogan Gate were never in the hunt, bowled out for 90 in the 42nd over with just Phil Dunford (29), Luke Clarke (15) and youngster Joseph Tanswell (12) offering any sort of resistance.
It was the manner of dismissals that was disappointing for the Rabbits; with batters either aggressively playing all around a straight one or hitting soft regulation catches to fielders - both indicative of brain fades or overconfidence.
That being said, credit must go to the exceptional West Wyalong opening pair of Ty Pilon (2/43) and Jesse Hampton (2/28), who piled on the pressure throughout their marathon spells with ball in hand.
Despite missing out on a chance to continue on a Grinsted Cup run, there are plenty of positives for Bogan Gate - who were very well supported in both of their games - and Britt is keen to go around again next season.
"We'll be back bigger and better next year," says Britt.
Bogan Gate 90 (Phil Dunford 29; Ben Fitzgerald 3/7, Cam Rowling 2/10) defeated by West Wyalong 125 (Josh Ross-Carroll 35, Bryce Koop 26; Andrew Britt 4/17, Phil Dunford 3/32, Ryan Dunford 2/20) by 35 runs at Woodward Oval, Parkes.
The Bogan Gate side would like to thank their loyal sponsors OTIA, R H Nock Contracting and Central West Allied Health for their support in getting the team up and running. Please support these local businesses for all your farming and allied health needs.