Binalong are the C Grade Yass Cricket Competition Premiers after defeating Yass Taipans 158 to 153 runs in a thrilling match at Bowning on Saturday. Binalong won the toss and elected to bat. The Taipans couldn’t quite overcome the men to their west, falling just 5 runs short.

    Dylan Arabin and George Knight opened for the Bushrangers with Arabin caught for 5 while Knight added 31 to the total. Binalong’s most eligible bachelor AJ Sykes hit 22, including four 4s before he was caught by Garner off the bowling of Lachie Kemp.

  Nic ‘A’ or Nic Aroiaswamy as he is also named, hit 20 while Marks Savins added 15. Binlaong looked like they might compile a good total at 5 for 113 with 9 overs to play and they did. Veteran Mark Dyball led the way with a very good innings of 40 runs where he saw Mick Paterson and Drew Arabin head back to the pavilion. Victor Coble went for a duck and both Oscar Knight and Fred Ellison finished not out with the 40 overs batted.

The Taipans started their innings poorly, losing George Walker for 2. They didn’t lose another wicket until Adrian Waters went for 10 in the 14th over. Jake Garner was one of the mainstays of Yass’ innings with 39 runs. He watched Lachie Kemp come and go for 8, Nathan Hopley for a duck and Tommy Roberts for 3, before he also departed with the score on 6 for 100 in the 31st over. Enter Hugh Morrison who set about  hitting 4s and 6s. Morrison ran out of partners on 60 in the 39th over just 5 runs short when he lost Vitler for 1, Kemp for a duck, Doyle for 8 and Brad Jones, who was bowled for a duck.

Binalong Captain Coach Mick Patterson said, “Yass beat us last year, we beat Harden 4 years ago but we went through undefeated this year. Everyone gelled together and we shared it around, they all made a contribution. Nic A was one of our best batsmen and Drew Arabin one of our best bowlers going by the figures.”

    The side was proudly sponsored by 4 sponsors including David Smith Auctions, Hotel Binalong, Spencer Plumbing and Paul Regan and Leon Arabin. Mick Spencer has just gone out on his own plumbing venture.

Binalong will be looking to next years season where they may be graded higher. Mick said, “We might go up a grade next year.”