An Andrew Trappel inspired Western Suburbs delivered a loud and clear message to their rivals that they are still Maitland's kings of Twenty20 cricket.
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Late inclusion Andrew Trappel smashed two 50s as Wests easily defeated Singleton club JPC and Eastern Suburbs to book their place in the Hunter Valley Cup semi-finals.
Trappel made mincemeat of an under-manned JPC’s attack scoring 53 as Wests chased down a target of 61 in just three-and-a-half overs.
The Plovers, the reigning HVC T20 title holders will join City United, Thornton Park and Kurri Weston in the semi-finals on January 22.
Acting skipper Tom Rumbel scored five from two balls and watched from the other end as Trappel unleashed on the JPC bowlers.
“They only had eight players turn up, but even with a full fielding side I don’t think they would have stopped many of his shots,” Rumbel said.
Easts defeated JPC after the Singleton club posted 140. Against Wests, the Griffins found themselves in trouble early at 4-18. Lachlan Pannowitz (38) and Jack Peterkin (37) added 60 together in seven overs to allow Easts to post a tally of 8/113.
Easts skipper Andrew Vickery said the total was at least 60 runs short of what they needed.
Trappel scored 55 and Rumbel finally got a turn at bat to score 37 as Wests made 2/116 in reply in just 13 overs.
Dustin McGrath and Luke Merchant shared the wickets with 3-28 and 3-8 respectively against Easts.
Across at Robin’s Oval City United’s Karl Bowd cleared the fence and landed one shot on a thankfully unused green at neighbouring Maitland Park Bowling Club.
Western Suburbs (2) fieldsmen square of the wicket were in a danger zone as Bowd (73) and Anru Kriel (47) smashed fours into the boundary on their way to posting the bulk of City’s 4/154,
Tim Clark top-scored for Wests with 38 before the Easts were dismissed for 129.
Valley was the only Singleton club to record a win, restricting Wests (2) to 6-151 and passing the mark in the 13th over with two wickets in hand.
City booked their semi-final spot when they held Valley to 102 and passed the tally with nine overs to spare, with Matt Trappel making 44.
At Lorn Park, Thornton Park advanced to the semi-finals with wins against Singleton club Creeks and Northern Suburbs.
Norths started the day well bowling out Creeks for 59, with Tim Prescott claiming 3-6.
However, against Thornton, Matt Wilks’ run-out proved a turning point and Norths’ total of 9-92 was never enough.
Kurri Weston defeated Raymond Terrace and Kurr Kurri Kookaburras to advance to the semi-finals.