On a blisteringly hot day, the Hunter Hurricanes retained their Windmill Whack crown with a win over the Elite Eagles. The result was a repeat of the 2022 final and proved that these two sides are becoming the dominant forces of the competition.

After a competition which had been severely disrupted by the rain it was ironic that Finals Day was played out on one of the warmest days of the year. Playing two games in the heat was a tough ask for Dan Tyler’s Eagles, and the advantage gained by the Hurricanes in winning the group and advancing straight to the final turned out to be a crucial one.

The day had begun with the Eagles taking on the Govani Maestros in the Eliminator. The Eagles won the toss and chose to bat first, and the innings fluctuated through the first two pairs with the run rate kept in check but wickets not falling regularly either. However, the final two pairs of Dan Tyler and Jamie Green, and Alan Ison and Ben Hamberger put the Eagles in charge as they posted 203-5 for a net terriers score of 163. Dan Simpson and Nathan Brown got the Maestros off to a fast start in reply, but the middle overs saw Ryan Oakes, Rob Mack and Green strike regularly for the Eagles to put them in charge. Ian Munn and Nick O’Dell were left with a huge challenge in the final five overs, and despite their best efforts the Maestros ended on 187-8 to finish on a net score of 123.

A quick turnaround saw the Eagles take to the field again for the final, and skipper Dan Tyler will have been pleased to be asked to bat first by his counterpart Ant Limn. Green was in good form again with the bat, and the captain himself looked in good touch despite two dismissals, but the Canes bowling attack kept their nerve and kept picking up wickets. Some late fireworks from Ben Hamberger saw the Eagles total climb to 179-8 for a net score of 115. Limn has the Canes performing like a well oiled machine these days, and that was evident once more as the chase began. Tom Daniels and Harry Lawes gave them a steady start before Ollie Burley and Gus Siggins stepped on the gas in the middle overs. Max Carter Miller then sealed the victory with 49 runs from 17 balls as the Hurricanes finished on 155-0 to retain their crown. Congratulations to Ant Limn and his side on their victory and congratulations to Dan Tyler and the Eagles on reaching a second consecutive final.

We must at this stage thank all of our Whack captains for their work during the season, Harry Jenkins our Tournament Director, everyone who umpired and scored at games and our Grounds Executive Mark Severn for preparing wickets which were perfect for this type of cricket.

And of course, the competition would not be possible without the hugely generous support of all of our franchise sponsors:

Hunter & Co. Accountants
Apple Financial Solutions
Elite Finishing
Govani Family Chemists
Kushoom Bugh Tandoori Restaurant
Mullis & Peake Solicitors