1ST GRADE
1st grade have exited the finals in straight sets with a 125-run loss to Bayswater-Morley at Burrendah Park.
The visitors won the toss and chose to bat but the Dragons made a bright start with the ball, with wickets for Matt Hanna, Zach Ferris, and the returning Oliver Arkinstall reducing the score to 4 for 63.
The Bears kickstarted their innings with a 69-run sixth-wicket partnership, eventually grinding their way to a total of 7 for 217 from their 90 overs.
It was a day for the seamers, with Hanna (3/67 from 24 overs) putting in a massive effort as Arkinstall (2/25 from 13 overs) and Ferris (1/26 from 14 overs) played their role.
Unfortunately, the Dragons had another tough outing with the bat, being bowled out for 92 in 43.3 overs.
Captain Kallen Bond (27 from 40 balls) and Blair Walsh (23* from 77 balls) made the only scores of note in the chase.
A third successive loss at the competition's semi-final stage is deeply frustrating, but a young 1st grade group should be well set up to compete for several years into the future.
2ND GRADE
2nd grade are through to the grand final after defeating Wanneroo by 167 runs at Kingsway Sports Ground.
After winning the toss and batting, the Dragons slipped into an early hole at 3 for 25 with Brock Larance, David Cameron, and Sean Boers all coming and going, but a magnificent recovery saw a total of 316 from 89.5 overs posted.
It was a showing of strength in depth with the bat, with Jono Crowe (69 from 79 balls), Amrit Singh (69 from 159 balls), Cameron Becker (44 from 44 balls), and Lachie Lake (39 from 68 balls) all making strong contributions from the middle order.
With the ball, an amazing effort with the ball ensured the Roos were never seriously in the hunt, ending up at all out for 149 from 54.1 overs.
Becker continued a brilliant season with 3 for 21 from 13.1 overs, with Vidit Vashisht (3/50 from 14 overs) and captain Nic Geisler (2/33 from 12 overs) showing their class and all-rounders Cameron (1/15 from 6 overs) and Larance (1/27 from 9 overs) making handy interventions.
2nd grade will head to Cresswell Park for the season decider to take on Midland-Guildford.
3RD GRADE
3rd grade are into the big dance after beating Joondalup by 48 runs at Iluka Sports Complex.
The Dragons won the toss and batted but struggled to capitalise after making a solid start, ending up all out for 205 from 79.3 overs.
Brennan Wilson continued an excellent run of form with 75 from 105 balls, with Declan Crowder (30 from 72 balls) and James Scott (22* from 42 balls) also making important contributions.
With the ball, an outstanding effort limited the hosts’ highly-fancied batting lineup to just 157 from 60.5 overs.
The bowling load was shared in a similar fashion to the whole season, with Stewart Hepburn (3/13 from 10 overs), Ellis Cassidy (2/23 from 5 overs), Scott (2/29 from 9 overs), Zac Blazevich (1/16 from 9 overs), and captain Chris Lagana (1/46 from 13 overs) all chipping in.
Abbett Park will host the 3rd grade grand final between the Dragons and Wanneroo.
UNDER 17’S
Under 17’s season is over after a heartbreaking 12-run loss to Centurions at Burrendah Park.
The Dragons bowled first and made a strong start to bowl the visitors out for 116, with Jagan Singh (4 wickets), Lagan Sandhu (3 wickets), Kai D’Souza, Dulina Gamage, and Kyall Roach (all 1 wicket) all showing their quality.
In reply, the chase looked in good shape at 2 for 57, but a middle-order collapse left the score at 9 for 84.
A 20-run last wicket stand between Joel Dooner and Jevan Buckland created some hope, but the Dragons ended up just short at 104 from 39.5 overs.
Despite the loss, the under 17’s had an outstanding year, claiming a top-of-the-ladder finish and several players showing their quality in both underage and senior cricket.