THE RAIL constructed a little bit of history when it became the first club to win two McDonald’s Country Plates in Tamworth Yesterday.
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Winners in 2003-04 when beating Holbrook at Victoria Park in Dubbo, the South Coast club posted a 102-run win over Cootamundra in yesterday’s Plate Final at No 1 Oval, scoring 9-190 and then dismissing defending champions Cootamundra for 88.
Adam Johnson won man of the match honours after taking 5-20 from his eight overs for The Rail.
At Riverside, top seeds Clarence River and Robertson Burrawang had semi-final wins and will play today’s McDonald’s Shield Final at No.1 Oval.
Clarence River and Cricket Albury Wodonga Colts played at Dick Edwards Oval but their wicket was much wetter and their game didn’t start until 12.30pm and played as a 41-over-a-side game.
After being sent in, Clarence River made 136 and then steamrolled the number one seeds for 75.
Brad Chard (4-20) and Troy McLaren (2-23) were the destroyers as Clarence bowled its way into its maiden Shield final.
Matt Pigg had earlier been the backbone of its innings with 46 (turn to page 16 for more).
At Riverside 2, Robertson Burrawang, who won the Plate Final two seasons ago, made 137 and then dismissed a disappointing Tamworth Colts for 127.
It was a huge effort from the home side to get as close as they did.
It was 6-43 at one stage but a rearguard fightback gave the side a chance (turn to page 17 for more).
Cootamundra and The Rail were both vying to become the first dual winners of the Plate.
While The Rail won its first title back in 2003-04, Cootamundra won last year’s Plate Final at home when it played every qualifying game and finals game at home.
It beat Albion Park in the Plate Final at Albert Park, Cootamundra where captain John Stephens was the man of the match.
Stephens, captain and president of the Cootamundra association, was full of praise for Country Cricket and the Tamworth association.
“We’ve had a great time,” Stephens said.
“Country Cricket NSW has given us something to play for and aspire too.
“Tamworth have been great hosts too.”
The Rail’s skipper Nathan Tyrell was delighted with his side.
“We’ve had a great season so far, undefeated.
“Our coach, Grant Tilling, has put in a lot of long hours and we’ve frustrated the hell out of him.”
