Sport
29 March, 2026
Bowral wins the Highlands Cricket First Grade competition.
The Highlands Cricket First and Third Grade finals were played on Saturday, with Bowral claiming the First Grade premiership and Moss Vale taking out Third Grade in a dramatic finish.
The Highlands Cricket First and Third Grade finals were played on Saturday, with Bowral claiming the First Grade premiership and Moss Vale taking out Third Grade in a dramatic finish.
First Grade
At Bradman Oval the favourites Bowral were at home to Robertson after last Saturday’s washout.
Batting first, Bowral were in early trouble at 4 for 26. They recovered through steady partnerships before being bowled out for 168. Hayden Willebrand top scored late in the innings with 39.
For Robertson the pick of the bowlers was Sam Buster who did just that and busted through the Bowral line up to grab 3 for 27. Dale Young and Riley Wallace picked up two wickets each.
In reply, Robertson remained in the contest throughout but fell short late, all out for 154.
Top scorer for Robertson was Nicholas Wilson with 35, with late order support from Joel Goring who made a quickfire 28, putting passing cars at risk, heaving two 6s onto the road.
The evergreen Cameron Belshaw lead the attack for Bowral, taking 2 for 27. Hayden Willebrand also took 2 for 27, Nick Miller 2 for 29 and the veteran Matthew Burton chimed in with 1 for 30.
Robertson pushed the game into the final over under fading light but fell 14 runs short.
The Southern Wire player of the match was Hayden Willebrand for his all-round match display.
Bowral are the Highlands Cricket 2025/2026 First Grade Premiers.
Third Grade
In Third Grade, Moss Vale and Bowral played out a tie at Stephens Park.
Bowral batted first and made 166 with Finlay Kettlewell dominating the innings with 93 not out, included 11 fours and a six.
Shivantha Arachchige was the pick of the Moss Vale bowlers with 3 for 23.
Chasing 167 for victory Moss Vale appeared confident. The veteran run scoring machine Scott McKie, who appears to be improving with age however fell cheaply. Wickets were lost in regular clumps.
Z Nasser was dismissed attempting to score the winning run, leaving scores level at 166.
Under competition rules, the premiership was awarded to Moss Vale as the higher-ranked team heading into the finals.
Moss Vale are the 2025/26 Highlands Cricket Third Grade premiers.
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