SHOALWATER Bay has caused an upset in its Peel Cricket Association semi-final, handing Mandurah just its second loss of the season to progress to the grand final.
Mandurah finished the season on top of the ladder with Shoalwater Bay only moving to second position in the final round of the season.
Mandurah will now have to progress to the grand final the hard way with the side set to face South Mandurah in a preliminary final this week after South Mandurah defeated Halls Head.
In a thrilling game Mandurah won the toss and elected to bat first against Shoalwater Bay.
After losing 2/33 to start its inning Mandurah steadied with Justin Solly leading the way with 61.
Mandurah finished its inning at 163 with Shoalwater Bay’s Graham Spinks doing the damage with the ball with 3/30 from nine overs.
Brandon Burt did the majority of the early run scoring for Shoalwater Bay falling one short of a half century when he was run-out to leave his side at 3/57.
With his perilously close to defeat Spinks put on 29 not out to help his side to victory, finishing at 9/167 with one ball left.
Ian Lattimore collected 3/39 to be Mandurah’s best bowler.
In the weekends other do-or-die final South Mandurah got the job done against Halls Head after electing to bat first.
Despite losing its opener for a duck South Mandurah quickly re-grouped with Lewis Pegler (67) and Joe McConnell (35) taking their side to 97 before losing another wicket.
However when the pair fell South Mandurah were bundled out for 158 in the 47th over.
Chris Phelps picked up 4/40 from his 10 overs for Halls Head.
Despite six players making double figures for Halls Head none of the batsmen were able to go on with it with Leigh Burns top scoring with 24 as his side was bowled out for 104 in the 36th over.
Jesse Buck did the damage with the ball for South Mandurah picking up 5/23 from 9.3 overs.
Mandurah will now play South Mandurah in the preliminary final from 12.15pm on Saturday.
