Oscar King’s first half-century of the season wasn’t enough for Court House to walk away with victory at Kitchener Park on Saturday afternoon.
Court House batted first after winning the toss and after opener Jye Hicks fell for one, King arrived at the crease to partner Kyle Gallen.
The pair was off to a great start and partnered for 81 runs before King was given his marching orders for 53.
It was a quick-fire half-century as King recorded nine boundaries, including four fours, and five sixes in 35 balls faced.
Gallen followed shortly after on 43 with five fours and three sixes.
After the fall of Gallen, Court House suffered at the crease and could only manage 172 runs before being bowled out.
Keaton Walters (12), Braithen Winsor (13), Peter McCormack (16) and Darrin Cameron (17) rounded out the rest of Court House’s top scorers.
It was a collective bowling effort by the Kookaburras with Alex Seach (2-15), Chris Holliday (2-22) and Cameron Waugh (2-33) leading the way.
Bailey Keeler, Shane Riordan and Jayden Winsor each picked up a wicket.
With the target of 173 runs to chase down, the Kookaburras were ready for the task ahead with Waugh heading the pack with 78 runs.
It was Waugh’s first half-century of the season and it was vital in the side’s victory at Kitchener Oval.
He scored 11 boundaries on his way to 78 with nine fours and two sixes in 90 balls faced.
He was joined by Jayden Winsor to open the batting for the Kookaburras but Winsor was run out for three early.
Luke Ellis was the Kookaburras’ first drop and hit two fours on his way to 11 runs before being dismissed.
Shane Riordan joined Waugh in the side’s biggest partnership as the pair recorded 91 runs before Waugh was sent packing with the Kookaburras 3/143. Riordan followed seven runs later and was out for 36 runs from 53 balls.
Chris Holliday scored 10 runs off four balls as the Kookaburras crept closer towards victory.
It was Keeler and Bowe Coward who saw out the innings as the Kookaburras look to finish the season with a bang.
While the side has missed out on clinching a finals spot, they head into the final game of the season with a match-up against Mornington.
Court House will face Albion at Kitchener Oval with the match starting at 1pm. It will be a repeat of last year’s grand final, however, with Court House barely scraping into the last semi-final spot, it will be looking to find some momentum.
