FINALLY converting his first hat-trick could not have come at a better time for Nursery Ridge bowler Daniel Nulty.
The 22-year-old achieved the rare feat of three consecutive wickets with all being dismissed bowled during a haul of 6/43 as the Ridgebacks defeated Irymple in the Sunraysia Cricket Association second division semi-final.
This weekend they face old rivals Ouyen Rams for the premiership, with both clubs having moved across to Sunraysia from the Red Cliffs Cricket Association last year.
Other former Red Cliffs clubs Tempt (third division) and South West (fourths) have also made grand finals, while new club Mildura Royals will also feature in the third division play-off.
After twice being on a hat-trick this season, Nulty broke through to convert the feat in Ridge’s 35-run victory at the weekend.
The game faced a delayed start with the Onion Patch Oval at Quandong Park still wet on Saturday, moving the contest to a one-day fixture on Sunday.
After Ridge made 6/135 Nulty, and Jackson Parker (4/40 from 17.2 consecutive overs) knocked over the Swallows for 100.
“It was a bit of a shaky start with the bat for the boys but big credit to Zac Heath, Liam Heath, ‘Gilbert’ (Jason Finch), some of the fellas who got it back with the bat and then the bowling went pretty well,” Nulty said.
“I think I bowled three or four overs before it (hat-trick), then I just started it on the stumps a bit more and got through a couple of the defences.
“The hat-trick ball I genuinely don’t remember at all, it was just sort of a rush of blood. Before it I turned around to (Allan) ‘Yella’ Brown and I just asked him where should I bowl it? And he just said ‘on the stumps’ and that’s how it worked out.
“Instincts took over, I don’t remember bowling the ball but obviously I managed to put it on the right spot.
“Big shout out to Jackson, I wouldn’t have been in the position to take wickets if it wasn’t for what he was able to do.”
After their first scheduled match against each other was abandoned back in round 3, Ouyen defeated Ridge by 55 runs in their December meeting.
“We’re really hungry and going to want to win on the weekend but we’re just really happy to get there,” Nulty said.
“Ouyen have had the better of us so we’ll just have to play our best cricket and see where that takes us.”
Ridge captain Brad Purdue may return to the side, having missed the past two games due to injury, with vice-captain Liam Heath taking charge in his absence.
“It’s a big credit to Liam Heath for coming in as captain at a big time of the year to step up,” Nulty said.
Ouyen Rams had won the last three RCCA A grade premierships before joining Sunraysia this year.
SCA Grand Finals
First Division: Gol Gol v Irymple
Alcheringa Oval, 1pm Saturday and Sunday
Second Division: Ouyen Rams v Nursery Ridge
Quandong Park Onion Patch, 1pm Saturday and Sunday
Third Division: Tempy v Mildura Royals
Cardross Recreation Reserve, 1pm Saturday and Sunday
Fourth Division preliminary final: Mildura East Blue v Nichols Point
MSP Oval 2, 1pm Saturday
Fourth Division grand final: South West v Prelim winner
Quandong Park Main Oval, 1pm Sunday
