Bulls Masters: Juggernaut Far North Fusion side gallop to Gabba grand final

A stacked Far North Fusion side showed their might at the Bulls Masters Country Challenge, securing three victories and a narrow defeat in four thrilling encounters in Cairns.

Seth McGinty celebrates a wicket in the Queensland Country Cricket Bulls Masters match between the Far North Fusion and the Sunshine Coast, held at Walker Road sporting fields, Edmonton. Picture: Brendan Radke

A stacked Far North Fusion side showed their might at the Bulls Masters Country Challenge, securing three victories and a narrow defeat in four thrilling encounters in Cairns.

After three pool phase matches, an undefeated 126-run partnership by fierce openers Aidan Firman (68 runs from 47 balls) and Jake Roach (55 runs from 36 balls) in the semi-final against Mackay-Whitsundays Nitros sealed their grand final spot at the Gabba for the third-time in three years.

Experienced bowlers William Robertson (3-13 from four overs) and Brenton Edwards (1-20 from four overs) kept the Nitros to 5-125 after 20 overs before Fusion chased down the total in just under 14 overs at Griffiths Park on Sunday afternoon.

Game 1: Far North Fusion vs North Queensland Monsoons

At Griffiths Park on Friday night, the Fusion set a competitive target of 164, posting 7-163 after their 20 overs.

Left-hander Marcus Berryman was the standout, scoring 52 runs from 38 balls, including three sixes.

Edwards’ explosive late innings - where he smashed 42 runs off just 16 balls with four sixes - powered Fusion to a formidable total.

Jake Roach bowls in the Queensland Country Cricket Bulls Masters match between the Far North Fusion and the Sunshine Coast, held at Walker Road sporting fields, Edmonton. Picture: Brendan Radke

In response, the Monsoons struggled to keep pace. Despite an undefeated 54-run knock from opener Sam Lowry, they could only manage 7-107.

Early breakthroughs from Fusion’s opening bowlers, Roach (1-7) and Berryman (1-7), set the tone before Robertson (0-20) and Seth McGinty (2-26) kept the pressure on as the Monsoons never got close to the target.

Game 2: Far North Fusion vs Sunshine Coast Scorchers

Seth McGinty puts some heat on the ball in the Queensland Country Cricket Bulls Masters match between the Far North Fusion and the Sunshine Coast, held at Walker Road sporting fields, Edmonton. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Fusion came agonisingly close at Miniecon Gregory Oval on Saturday morning but were edged out in a thriller.

After posting 7-121 from their 20 overs, the Fusion saw teenage opener Firman topscore with 43 runs.

However, the Scorchers’ bowlers, Thomas Olsen (3-22 from four overs) and Blaine Schloss (2-11 from two overs) pierced through the top order, leaving the Far North side in a precarious position.

Fusion’s bowlers – Berryman (2-20), Roach (2-21), McGinty (2-22), and Benjamin McCartney (2-19) – fought valiantly, restricting the Scorchers to 9-122.

Despite their best efforts, the Scorchers managed to chase down the target with a dramatic single off the last ball, securing a one-run victory.

Far North Fusion batsman Matthew Wilkins running between the wickets. Bulls Masters Country Challenge. Picture: Gyan-Reece Rocha

Game 3: Far North Fusion vs Darling Downs Suns

Fusion bounced back in their final match of the weekend, posting a solid 6-153 at Griffiths Park on Saturday night.

Classy left hand batsman Wilkins led the charge with 70 runs from 60 balls after a slow start.

On the other side of the innings, the Suns struggled to get going in their chase.

Fusion paceman McGinty (3-11 from four overs) was on fire for his side, breaking bails while choking the Sun’s run chase, before Fusion captain Justin Reid claimed 2-6 from the final over of the game.

The Suns finished on 8-104, giving the Fusion a comfortable 49-run victory.

Pictured: Far North Fusion celebrate Seth McGinty's second wicket. Queensland Country Cricket Bulls Masters match between the Far North Fusion and Darling Downs Suns. Photo: Gyan-Reece Rocha

A stacked batting line-up, which saw elite batsmen Edwards and wicket-keeper Angus Warnock miss out on the top six spots, combined with an array of all-rounders showcased the depth, strength and balance of the side this year.

Far North Fusion will now take on Central Queensland Seamers in the Bulls Masters Country Challenge grand final at Griffiths Park on December 29.

Originally published as Bulls Masters: Juggernaut Far North Fusion side gallop to Gabba grand final