Newcastle District Cricket Association, February 23, 2025
City of Newcastle Finals Day – A Thrilling Showcase at No.1 Sportsground
The City of Newcastle Finals Day was nothing short of spectacular, with perfect weather providing an ideal backdrop for an exhilarating day of cricket at No.1 Sportsground. Fans were treated to three fiercely contested matches, culminating in a grand final to remember.
Semi-Final 1: Seagulls vs. Sabres
The action kicked off at 10 AM with the Seagulls taking on the Sabres. Winning the toss, the Seagulls elected to bowl first, looking to restrict the Sabres’ batting lineup. The Sabres put up a strong performance with the bat, led by Dylan Hunter, who top-scored with a brilliant 64 (off 55 balls, 7 x 4s), and Nick Walker, who contributed a solid 45 runs off 34 balls (4 x 4s). Seagulls captain Nick Foster led the bowling attack with figures of 2/38 off four overs.
Chasing 144, the Seagulls struggled to gain momentum, finishing at 8/109. Archie Lenham proved to be the standout bowler for the Sabres, taking 4 wickets for just 25 runs in his spell. The Sabres’ dominant performance earned them the first berth in the grand final.
Semi-Final 2: Tahs vs. Lions
The second semi-final began at 1:30 PM, featuring the Tahs and the Lions. Winning the toss, the Tahs chose to bat and posted a strong total of 6/152. Josh Claridge led the charge with 31 runs off 42 balls, supported by Quincy Titterton (28 from 20 balls, 3 x 4s) and Kyle Faber (26 from 14 balls, 1 x 4, 2 x 6). For the Lions, Zach Stanbridge led the bowling charge taking 2 wickets for 21 runs in just two overs.
The Lions’ chase was spearheaded by the hard-hitting David “Thumper” Celep, who smashed a half-century from 30 balls (6 x 4s, 2 x 6s), followed by young gun Harry Price with 39 not out (36 balls, 1 x 4, 1 x 6) with Patrick Moore adding 32 runs (26 balls, 3 x 4s). James Kimber made a notable impact with the ball for the Tahs, taking 2/27 in just 2.3 overs. In a nail-biting finish, the Lions reached 4/153, securing their place in the grand final.
Grand Final: Sabres vs. Lions
The highly anticipated grand final commenced at 5 PM, with the Sabres winning the toss and opting to bat. Their opening batsmen set the tone in explosive fashion, with sixes flying all over No.1 Sportsground! Harrison Ward smashed 68 off just 34 balls (5 x 4s, 5 x 6s) before being caught by Patrick Houlahan off the bowling of Sam Holding. Dylan Hunter anchored the innings, finishing with an unbeaten 82 off only 50 balls (10 x 4s, 4 x 6s), while Nick Walker provided solid support with 43 runs from 26 balls (3 x 4s, 2 x 6s). The Sabres’ power-hitting display saw them rack up a formidable total of 3/210, with 11 sixes peppering the boundary.
The Lions’ chase got off to a promising start with Luke Hitchcock scoring 38 off 29 balls (6 x 4s, 1 x 6), while Harry Price looked dangerous until a spectacular boundary catch by Dylan Hunter saw him depart for 27 (21 balls, 3 x 4s, 1 x 6). Pat Holding added 28 (25 balls, 2 x 4s, 1 x 6), but the Sabres’ bowling attack proved too strong. Archie Lenham maintained his fine form, taking 3/17 off four overs, while Cal Fowler was impressive, claiming 3 wickets for just 15 runs in 2.4 overs. The Lions were bowled out for 150 in 19.4 overs, sealing a dominant victory for the Sabres.
Champions Crowned & Awards Presented
Congratulations to the Sabres (Newcastle City), who were crowned champions of the 2024/25 season after a phenomenal display of skill and teamwork. The Rippit Player of the Match award was deservedly presented to Dylan Hunter for his match-winning innings, with the award presented by Aaron Spalding of Rippit Golf.
A special thank you to the City of Newcastle for their continued sponsorship of this prestigious competition, and to Councillor Peter Gittens for being present to award the winning team their well-earned trophy.
What a day of cricket it was—thrills, big hits, and unforgettable performances! The City of Newcastle Finals Day once again showcased the incredible talent and passion for cricket in our region.
