It was the first time the school has won the competition in 13 years, qualifying them for the regional final and the last 16 in the state.

Moss Vale was sent into bat at Lackey Park by the reining champions, Smith’s Hill High School from Wollongong.

Openers, Nic Wilson and Charles Whatman, withstood the difficult conditions of the up and down surface until Wilson was bowled for 20 by a ball that kept low in the 10th over.

At 1-30 after 10, Moss Vale were off to a positive start but looked to have relinquished their good position when middle-order batsmen, Jack Baldwin and Cameron Clay, fell quickly to some quality leg spin bowling.

However, Moss Vale regained ground as Mitchell Wilson quashed the collapse.

He made his way to 20 as lower order batsmen while Dylan Plumridge and Tom Simpson took advantage of some mediocre bowling, quickly scoring 14 and 32 respectively.

Moss Vale were bowled out for 131 in the 40th and final over of the innings, a respectable total.

Smith’s Hill came out to bat and appeared confident they could chase down the runs.

Going out swinging without throwing caution to the wind early on didn’t work out for Aiden Cooke, as one big shot too many off Riley Hurford’s second over caught a top edge which sailed straight down the throat of Cameron Clay.

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Hurford went on to remove Smith’s Hill’s other opener in his next over, leaving Smith’s Hill in a spot of bother, at 2-15 off six overs.

With an aggressive field set, Moss Vale ramped up the intensity as arguably Smith’s Hill’s best bat, Sam Dobson, started to find his feet at the crease.

A sublime spell from Jack Baldwin removed Dobson for not many as Moss Vale gained the ascendancy in the contest.

A couple more wickets fell before the halfway mark leaving Smith’s Hill 5-65.

After drinks Moss Vale got off to a poor start when the captain, Nic Wilson, decided to bowl himself.

However, the tight bowling of Clay and Charles Whatman put Moss Vale back on track.

By the 33^rd over Smith’s Hill had crawled their way into a seemingly unassailable position, requiring only 10 runs off seven overs with three wickets to spare.

Nevertheless, with their backs against the wall, Moss Vale bowled four consecutive maidens which included wickets for Clay and Hurford.

With 10 runs to play with, Whatman was thrown the ball for his second spell.

Five consecutive dot balls and on the verge of a fifth successive maiden, the Smith’s Hill batsmen finally cracked, spooning the ball up to Dylan Plumridge at mid off while attempting an off drive, culminating in victory for Moss Vale.

Moss Vale should be congratulated on their temperament and attitude as well as their whole team performance, a credit to the team spirit fostered by coach Mr Jim Good.

Moss Vale will play in the regional final on December 4 at Bradman Oval.

- Nicholas Wilson, Year 11 Student and cricket captain.

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