Pegs Creek secure grand final berth with dominant win over Karratha Falcons

Pegs Creek have stormed into the grand final and are one win away from a three-peat of the West Pilbara Cricket Association 40-over title after securing a six-wicket win against Karratha Falcons.

Falcons elected to bat first at their home ground, Bulgarra Oval, on December 2, a decision that proved costly with a fired-up Pegs bowling attack making early inroads.

Falcons were struggling at 4-38 before Michael Bunting (28) and Cameron Nowotny (61) fought back and steadied the ship for the batting side.

In the end, the Falcons were bundled out in the 37th over for 158 runs, with Nowotny the top scorer. Oliver Battistessa took 4-28 from eight overs for Pegs.

In reply, Pegs made the runs easily despite the early loss of opener Kai Harrison (9) with Tharindu Ilanperuma (48) and Lachlan Seabrook (28) scoring the bulk of the runs before Matthew Smith (30 not out) and Troy Newick (16 not out) finished off the chase.

Pegs wrapped up the run chase with 19 deliveries left, finishing at 4-159.

Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Dampier Taverners crushed Nickol Hawks by 135 runs to set up a grand final rematch with Pegs.

Batting first, Dampier bludgeoned their way to 6-236 on the back of captain Daniel Harding’s 83-run innings.

Craigh Shirly (61 not out) and Jarvis Hurley (38) continued the momentum to power their side to an imposing total.

A clinical bowling performance saw Nickol bundled out for 101 runs in the 21st over with Muhammad Aslam (36) the only batter to make more than 15 runs for his side.

Jake Trewin took 6-21, with Jaxon Gordon, Harding and Zane Goes all chipping in with wickets.

The win means Dampier will have the opportunity to get redemption against Pegs Creek who defeated them in the final last year, while Pegs will be looking to make it a hat-trick of 40-over titles.

The grand final will begin at 4pm on December 9.