RSL retains NDCA club championship and both premierships

They’ve done it again – Narrabri RSL Cricket Club has won it all in Narrabri District Cricket Association’s 2021-22 campaign.

The NDCA’s form club was crowned champions of the first grade and second grade one day competitions on Saturday evening following dominant victories.

RSL also took home the NDCA’s club championship shield for the second year in a row and for the third time in four years.

RSL downed Tourist Hotel by 102 runs at Collins Park in the first grade decider and defeated Tatts by 30 runs at Hogan Oval in the second grade grand final.

The Jarrett Tough-captained first XI batted first after winning the toss and made 8-193 in 45 overs before it knocked over Tourist Hotel for just 91 runs in 30.5 overs.

Cody Kember was named man-of-the-match after rescuing his side’s batting innings. He entered at number nine for RSL and scored an unbeaten 74, which was the highest score in an NDCA first grade grand final in seven years since Luke Barton smashed 77 for Golf Club in its 2014-15 season premiership victory.

Kember also claimed the winning wicket when he trapped Tourist tail-ender Jason Paull in front in the 31st over of the game’s second innings.

That victory saw the RSL men claim their second consecutive NDCA first grade one day competition premiership after they ended an eight-year drought last year.

The Justin Saunders-captained RSL second XI won its fourth consecutive decider on Saturday when it downed the Tatts.

Saunders won the toss and elected to bat before his side batted out the entire 40 overs and made 8-156.

Tatts required 32 runs to win with four overs remaining but only had one wicket in hand at that stage.

Chris Watkins took the ball for the 37th over and claimed the match-winning wicket after conceding just one run.

Watkins, who is the club’s chairman, told The Courier that he was proud of everyone involved at Narrabri RSL Cricket Club.

“I’m just super proud of everyone’s efforts in a shortened season,” he said.

“The season was disrupted with the floods and rain and everything else that was going on.

“But I’m so proud of all our players, every single one of them.

“I don’t think you could ask for a better result than what we got.

“I was a bit concerned for first grade in their innings. They looked to be in trouble early but a couple of blokes stood up and brought it home for the boys.

“Young Will Ford really stood up which was great to see. He got some runs and also a couple of wickets too, which was great.

“In second grade, Alistair Wheeler has had a stellar season and he really stepped up again with another half-century. He steadied the ship for us.

“Then Jordan Doolan as well – he played the best cricket I have ever seen him play. He’s really struggled with the bat the past two seasons but he just fell short of a half-century on Saturday and then delivered with the ball.

“On the back of that, everyone played their part and chipped in.

“Our captain Justin Saunders led us around the park really well like he has all season.

“I’d really like to thank him and Jarrett Tough for their efforts this season.

“Toughy’s led not just the first grade team, but the whole club, so well. He’s stepped up and done a great job over the past two seasons. When I’ve been MIA with work this season, he’s really stepped up and got everyone motivated.”

Tough said that he was pleased both sides got the job done on grand final day.

“It’s a great thing for the club,” Tough said.

“We’ve had a good year in both grades.

“I was pretty nervous for us and I was a bit nervous for the second grade guys as well because Tatts has got a pretty strong side too.

“But when you’ve won three in a row they know what they’re doing and they got the job done.

“All the boys in both grades had a crack and we did very well.”

Watkins congratulated all of the club’s individual award winners and thanked all of its supporters and sponsors for helping the club be as successful as it could be.