BATHURST City is the first team through to the Bathurst District Cricket Association second grade grand final while City Colts had their season ended during the weekend’s semi-finals.

Redbacks recovered from a tricky situation with the bat in their innings after getting first use of the George Park 1 surface, posting a reasonable target of 209 before ripping through St Pat’s Old Boys’ batting in the chase.

The minor premiers were bowled out for just 77 as Redbacks poured on the pressure, making their opposition labour through 51.4 overs before they were dismissed.

With little time left to attempt a second innings, the game was called off.

It wasn’t as one-sided as the scoreline might indicate though, after City had to recover from a position of real danger at 5-51. But skipper Jay Cleary has been in rich form of late and was the perfect man for the situation.

He put on 71 with the ever-reliable Grant Tomkinson (19) on his way to 73, while Sam Knox (16), Leigh Stutchbury (13) and Dene Rice (32) batting at number 10, all made valuable runs.

Brendan Edwards was the star for St Pat’s, ripping through most of the City top-order and finishing with 5-66, while Brett Slattery was the other key man for the Saints with 3-41.

The St Pat’s chase never got going and they were in dire straits at the end of day one as they lost five wickets without making an impact on the scoreboard.

They did try to mount a comeback early on day two via 30 from Adam Webber and 21 from captain Shane Broes, but once they fell the end came quickly.

Percy Raveneau (4-19), Tim Ryan (3-17) and Sam Knox (2-21) each had a role to play with the ball, and gave next to nothing away.

“We’re lucky in that we bat deep, and even though the top-order hasn’t really all fired on a given day at all this season, we’ve been lucky enough that we’ve generally had one guy stand up and make a good score and others down the order have batted around them,” Cleary said.

“Dene Rice’s knock was crucial, we were looking at about 150 before his 32, he is just one of those guys that makes a very vital contribution when you least expect it.

“With the ball it was great to get them out so cheaply without relying on Sam Knox to do the damage.”

In the minor semi-final at Morse Park 2, Colts went into the game on a high after their miracle outright win over ORC last week but couldn’t carry that momentum forward and were dismissed for just 123.

Jeff Clancy’s 29 was the most significant contribution as Brodie McLean ran through their line-up to finish with 5-43, while Alex Mitton bagged 3-37.

In their chase, Rugby were always steady, led by 67 from Steve Peacock and assisted by Ross Hickman who made 63, with Mitton finishing unbeaten on 27 as they rattled up 227 in reply.

Dylan Carter starred for Colts to take his second straight bag of five, finishing with 5-46 from 24 overs.

Hoping to smash their way to a position where they could declare and hopefully have another go at Rugby, Colts batted a second time and declared at 8-187, with Tony Clancy’s 69 providing some entertainment as Colts gained a lead of 83.

Mitton was impressive, taking 6-82 amid the carnage.

When Rugby reached 0-35 in their second innings, the game was called to a close.