Sport
24 March, 2026
Avoca eliminates back-to-back champs
A new champion will be crowned in A reserve this season as Avoca knocked out the reigning premiers on Saturday with a thrilling semi-final victory.
In their first season back in senior cricket, the Bulldogs have barked their way to the A reserve pinnacle, simultaneously denying the Magpies of a dynasty-making three-peat with their 20-run win.
Clunes fired the first blow at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve, with Brad Stevenson getting Avoca captain Cameron Holland to be caught by wicketkeeper Fred Penhall for two.
After surviving some exceptional early bowling from Stevenson and Adam Clark, Avoca’s top order took control of the contest, with Glen Cosgriff and Nathan Coghlan making 41 and 36 respectively before both being removed by Lucas Fudge.
Solid contributions from James Collicoat and Brad Palmer kept the Bulldogs rolling, with the pair attempting to give Clunes a tough gauntlet to overcome with Avoca 4/119 with 11 overs remaining.
Finding themselves on the back foot, a tactical decision earlier in the innings began to pay dividends for the Magpies, as the available Clark and Paul Coon put on a masterclass about bowling at the death.
The pair took six straight wickets with rapid efficiency, with Clark’s 3/17 and Coon’s 3/40 holding the Bulldogs to 160.
As the Magpies attempted to transfer their late wicket flourish into run chase pressure, Cosgriff and Holland delivered a swift turning point Avoca’s way, removing Clunes’ two leading run-scorers in Mark Jenkin and Clark early for a combined three runs.
Collicoat and Palmer ensured the Bulldogs kept hunting their Magpies prey, combining with three wickets to have Clunes in serious trouble at 5/47 after 18 overs.
With Collicoat and Palmer bowling at a combined economy rate below two, Clunes’ Penhall and captain Josh Dunn were forced to remain patient as the required run rate began to creep up.
Even after Dunn was dismissed by Coghlan for 14, Penhall began to chip away at the total alongside Coon.
Despite Penhall’s unbeaten 48, three late wickets from Holland and Cosgriff secured Avoca’s Grand Final ticket, with Holland finishing with top figures of 3/33.
Palmer and Collicoat were also instrumental in placing Clunes in an unrecoverable position, ending with 2/16 and 1/11 from eight overs each.