Cavaliers captain Matt Higgins won the toss and elected to send Stroud into bat. His bowlers answered the challenge when dismissing Stroud for just 63. Higgins was confident his attack would be able to test Stroud’s experienced batting lineup on a lively wicket following a week of rain.

Cavaliers then lost just one wicket in the run chase.

After a week of wet weather there was much debate over the wicket and out field conditions and considerable conjecture as to whether the match would even be played.

Our ever-confident curator, Ken ‘Swampy’ Garland kept his cool and told everyone it would be all good and the game would go ahead.

Come noon Saturday, umpire, players and supporters all came together to watch a game of cricket that promised to be a pretty even match up.

With Stroud’s Dallas Schultz opening the batting all eyes were on the two time century maker for the season and whether Cavaliers opening bowlers could contain him.

The two Yates boys Ryan and James, bowled well to Schultz and his opening partner Jason Edwards containing them without any wickets.  Stroud moved to 0-25 after 14 overs.

Higgins then looked to Johny Cornelius and Jye Barkwill to get the breakthrough the Cavaliers needed.  

Barkwill was first to strike with the key wicket of Schultz for 22.  

Barkwill bowled beautifully for the whole of his spell ending up with 4-16 off seven overs, ably supported by Cornelius, who took 2-20.

Ken Maslen and Peter Reynolds were the other two bowlers used by Cavaliers.

Both managed to snare two wickets.  

Reynolds claimed the wicket of Tim Threadgate who was the only other batsman for Stroud to reach double figures. He ended up on 24.

All in all a very dominant bowling and fielding effort from the ‘Young Cavaliers’ (plus a few older ones) Stroud finished all out for 63.

The run chase started with Cavaliers openers Jye Barkwill and Matt Higgins scoring four runs an over for the first seven overs with some good bowling from Scott Edwards and Brett Standing.

However no wickets fell and Stroud captain Phil Ince looked to Tim Threadgate to provide a breakthrough which he did having Barkwill caught for a solid 7.

The score was 1-35.

Ryan Yates then came to the wicket to join Higgins (who was 23 not out), the pair went to work on the Stroud bowling getting the required total in the 14th over.  

Higgins remained 35 not out and Yates 26 not out.

GDCA would like to thank Swampy, Nikki Durbidge and Karen Yates and all of the players and supporters for a great year.  See you all next year.

Meanwhile the grand final of the Manning competition is scheduled for this weekend.

Wingham will meet defending premiers United in the game to be played at Johnny Martin Oval.