The U/13's, U/15's, 1st's, 2nd's & 4th's will play off for Premierships this weekend, whilst the 3rd's and U/12's finished their season agonisingly close.
The 1st XI were the first side to wrap up a grand final berth with a dominant win over South Belgrave. The boys lost the toss and were sent into the field and hardly put a foot wrong in dismissing South Belgrave for a poultry 59 at 3pm. Josh Gregory took 4 cacthes behind the pegs and Travis Mulder took 3/12. Tea was taken, and after the resumption Braet Adams 25 and Mark Dalton 26 knocked off the runs quickly, passing the total just 1 wicket down. The match was called off with 114 overs still available for South to try to reverse the game. The 1st's wil take on Knoxfield at home this weekend.
The Under 13's chased down a score of 184 with ease. Josh Wylde took 3/33 on Day 1 and followed up with 47* off just 4 overs. Cambell Craigie and Daniel Carr also impressed with 41* and 40*. The boys will play Eildon Park on the top oval in the Grand Final.
The Under 15's batted first and put on 9/156 from their 50 overs, with Scott McInerney putting 40 on the board. The boys looked to be in trouble when South Belgrave were 1/105 or so, but Jonathon Lim took 3/11 and enabled the boys to pinch the game from South Belgrave much to the delight of onlookers. The 15's play Lysterfield at Lakesfield in their Granny, and hopefully Dylan Wylde will return to the side.
The 2nd XI put in hard in the field on day 1 and restricted Eildon Park to just 110. Jarrod Thorp starred with the ball taking 6/36 and taking a good catch in slips. Nav Singh took 2 wickets with the ball, 1 really good catch, and 1 falcon brilliant catch. Jeremy Mackinnon the opened the batting with purpose to have the boys sitting at 2/51 after day 1. Jez continued in fine form on day 1 being dismissed on 56 but doing the lionshare of work to get the side home. Jason Buljuasic hit 29* and controlled the final stages of the game perfectly. The 2's play Knoxfield on the bottom oval in what will be the 2nd leg of a Knox Gardens vs Knoxfield darby at Knox Gardens Reserve.
The 4ths were the final team to bring home the bacon on Sunday afternoon. Also bowling first the boys were set a total of 163 on a slow, but lucious, Upper Gully surface. Rob Cottle closed down Eildon Park's tail taking 3/3 from 8 overs, whilst Greg Crook 3/38 and Blake Lines 2/49 did the damage at the top of the order. Ray Phillips once again impressed with the bat with 55* and guided the team home along with John Mills 36* (retired hurt) and Rob Cottle 23* who hit the winning runs. The 4ths will face Aura vale in the Grand Final, who they played in Round 11 and beat convincingly.
Unfortunately for the 3's and Under 12's their seasons have come to an end but both sides have had a great year, with both teams finishing top 2 on the ladder and earning home semi finals.
The 3's have now made the finals in 3 consecutive seasons after going up a grade each year, so it's been a great effort by Rhys Thomas and his players, theres alot of emerging talent in that side and hopefully the boys can keep plugging away next season to enjoy better success. In the semi they also bowled first after losing the toss and restricted Knox to 157 on a pretty fast Windemere Reserve. Sean Reid was a star with the ball taking 5/46 (after taing 9 wickets in Rnd 11 too) and Daine Vernon got his action right after 5 wides on his first ball taking 2/27. In reply the 3's got very close to their target, Warren Comerford hit a brilliant 81, but it was a lone stand and the team was 9 runs short at the end of the innings.
The under 12's bowled first against Ferntree Gully at Llewellyn Park but couldn't keep their score under control and in the end they got 142. In reply our boys were 12 runs short of victory. Adam Wylde scored 35 and looks really good at playing the pull shot!
KPMG will be called this week to audit the Dream Team competition with my side within a bees ear of the lead, but it's close and anyone in the top 6 teams could take the chocolates (or beers). Simon Taylor had the best team for the 2nd time (Rnd 4) with 520 points. Best player of the round was Warren Comerford with 111 points for his 81 + 2 catches, and Ash Thompson although comfortably on top at the moment should be worried as it will only take a good innings to knock him off top spot next week. The 4ths had the most points in the Team Challenge, but the 2's have that wrapped up with a 500 point lead over the 1's.
On Thursday night there will be Dinner after training at $7 a head. There will be different Pasta's and chips cooked and available. Dinner will be served at 8pm after training and Team meetings are finished.
Former Sheffield Shield winning Bushranger player Graeme Vimpani will be speaking to the senior player group at 9pm after Dinner. it will not be a late night but any members and supporters who would like to join us are invited to attend.
Senior players playing on Saturday will be required to be at the ground by 11:30am for your team photo dressed in full whites.
Regardless of results be at the club on Sunday, the club has had a great season on the field, so lets celebrate it.
At 12.30 in the courtyard between the Clubrooms and the community hall there will be a sausage sizzle for the U/15 & U/13 players. The club will then have Andrew Hawkes host match reports and recognition of all players at 1.15pm.
On Sunday night there will be a club celebration and all players, parents, supporters, sponsors are invited to attend. The club is serving Meals from 6.15pm - 7.30pm.
Available will be :
* Steak, Chips & salad $10
* Parma, Chips and salad $10
* Monster burger, chips $8
At 7pm each premiership Team (Junior & Senior) will be presented to our club for recognition. MC will be club coach Chris Amos.
We will start with both Junior teams being recognised and ask Tim and Rhys and their Captains to detail their match reports.
The Senior Teams will commence at 7.15pm.
The clubs Fundraiser raffle will be Drawn at 8pm.
We guarantee that the club song will be sung many times during the night.
There will be music from 8pm with karaoke juke box and I am sure a Big night of celebration will follow.
Good luck to all sides involved in Grand Finals, enjoy the week, enjoy the opportunity and enjoy your cricket. |
