Big hits, super overs and drama galore

Camtrans Bulldogs went through the preliminary rounds undefeated, the Retravision Warriors won their only game via a super over and the Albany Whalers showed their class in a big chase under lights.

These were some of the highlights of the inaugural Southern Smash Twenty20 competition played in Albany last week, attracting strong crowds across both days.

The move to introduce franchise Twenty20 teams in a premier regional competition consisting of players from across the State was well received in its first season.

The Camtrans Bulldogs lost Saturday’s final to rivals the Elders Avengers but they finished on top of the table after the three regular rounds.

The Bulldogs and Avengers had already booked their place in the final but in the last qualifying match earlier on Saturday a swashbuckling 45 from Netherlands T20 player Vikramjit Singh guided the Bulldogs to victory.

The Avengers had set their opponents 148 to win mainly thanks to an unbeaten 53-run stand from Jeremy Wood (35 not out) and Rod Shemald (26 not out) to close out their innings.

The Bulldogs lost constant wickets and were 7-89 before Singh smashed three sixes and three fours in his brutal 45 off 23 balls to get his side home with 11 balls to spare.

Over on Turf North. the match between the bottom two teams, the Inswing Inswingers and Retravision Warriors, was decided by a super over.

Needing 146 to win, the Inswingers took 14 off the final over from Zain Ul-Hassan to also finish on 145 after Shayne Wornes fired, making 54.

The Inswingers made 12 from their super over, with Wornes hitting nine of those runs off Julian Crudeli.

Julian Crudeli was the hero for the Warriors, however, as he hit a four off the last ball to win the game, with his 15 runs, including a big six off Elliott Hitchen, the difference in the end.

In Saturday night’s exhibition game, the Albany Whalers chased down 157 to win over the Southern Smash All-Stars.

Captain Nathan Crosby was brilliant, whacking 41 in quick time and was well supported by Michael Ferreira (24), Jack Dawson (23) and Wood (19 not out) as the Whalers made light work of the total, securing victory in the 17th over.

Earlier, Pinjarra batsman Josh Smith led the way for the All-Stars with an outstanding 76 at the top of the order.

In round one on Friday both games went to the final over, and the highlight in round two was a brutal 62 from 53 balls, including three sixes, from Bevan Bennell, helping the Bulldogs crush the Warriors.