West Bairnsdale and Meerlieu have advanced to the Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) “A” grade grand final.
West Bairnsdale looked to be in trouble after being dismissed for just 133 on day one in the 75th over, but as has become way too common at the Bairnsdale City Oval, that is a score that usually ensures a victory.
West look set for a good score at 5/101 at tea but when promising Seth Smith ripped through the tail, taking 5/23, they were left scratching their heads.
Brodie Anderson (29), Tom Hudson (25) and Mitchell Toms (22) all worked hard on a difficult wicket, the benefits that reaped maximum reward by mid afternoon on Sunday.
Nathan Pollard was again impressive with the ball for the Bulls, taking 4/40 from 25 overs.
Lindenow South Glenaladale replied with just 69, with Rohan Dare top scoring with 21.
Clever spinner, Chris Hammond, was the leading wicket taker for West with 4/10.
Meerlieu looked to be in all sorts of trouble at 5/46 against St Mary’s Nagle, with club legend and ten times all Gippsland representative, Murray Frew, overheard talking on the phone, telling someone they wouldn’t have to worry about next weekend.
But some outstanding batting by Rohan Blandford (76), Reagan Kyle (33) and Dan Richardson enabled them to post a par score of 187.
With Andrew Perrin not fully fit, the bulk of the Nagle bowling fell on the shoulders of Johnny Lash (6/47) and skipper, Ricky Tatnell (3/67), who both toiled manfully and made the Tussocks earn every run.
The Saints battled hard on Sunday, but a steady flow of wickets made going particularly hard, eventfully bowled out with 20 overs remaining for 118.
Tatnell (28) and Brayden McCarrey (42) were the only batsmen to really get going against a relentless Tussocks bowling attack led by Frankie Mostert (6/29 from 26 overs) and the rejuvenated Adam Cairns (3/46).
McCarrey was brave batting with a runner after suffering a significant lower leg injury while fielding on Saturday, he toiled long and hard in his 107 ball stay at crease, visually effected by the debilitating strain.
“A” RESERVE
West Bairnsdale and Metung Swan Reach have made their way through to the grand final.
Paynesville won the toss and elected to bowl at AJ Freeman Reserve and quickly had West Bairnsdale in trouble at 4/14, with two of BCA’s better batsmen of the modern era, Steve Lind and David Wolfe back in the air conditioning.
Some solid batting by Jacob Zumach (59), skipper Matt Curnow (32), Adam Hudson (26) and Oscar Clarke (23) saw West post a score of 183 which looked impossible inside the first hour of play.
Brayden Radford was the star with the ball for Paynesville, taking 5/50.
The Gulls could only reach 126 in reply, with Radford (28) and Mitch Wilmott (23), leading the scores.
Young West opening bowlers, Jai Nichols (3/17) and Jet Kellow (3/37) led the attack well, picking up key breakthroughs when required.
At Swan Reach the toss was always going to be important on a tacky wicket, with Bruthen asking the home side to bat first.
Swan Reach was bowled out inside 35 overs for just 99, with Adam O’Brien (23) and Mark Hopgood (21) making the most significant contributions.
The star for Bruthen was opening bowler, Cec Matthews who took an astonishing 8/39.
Bruthen looked set for victory at 1/56 and 3/84, before losing an extraordinary 7 for 4, to be dismissed for just 88.
The talented Jayanga Peris again impressed with 44, with wickets shared for the Swans between, Hopgood (415) and O’Brien (4/29).
“B” GRADE
Minor premier, Orbost, will face Buchan in the “B” grade final.
Winning the toss and batting first on Saturday, the Blues helped themselves to an imposing 4/272 from their 40 allocated overs.
Promising youngsters, Campbell Macalister (14) and Oscar Millward (25) took the shine off the ball early before the middle order despatched the ball to all parts of the ground and beyond.
Mark McDonald was brutal making 84 for 54, his innings including seven boundaries and four maximums.
He shared in an unbroken 117 run partnership for the fifth wicket in the last 14 overs, with Tim Osborn, who made 52 at better than a run a ball.
Earlier Peter Clay (36) and Braden Ross (37) had laid the groundwork for the final onslaught with some enterprising stroke play.
Paynesville was gallant in defeat but never really threatened to win, bowled out for 132 in the 35th over, with Jacob Harris (54) the only batsman to hit his straps.
James Steel was again in great form, taking 3/16 from his eight accurate overs for the Blues.
Buchan progressed after bowling Metung Swan Reach out for just 76 and easily making the runs for the loss of just four wickets, with 14 overs remaining.
The stars for the Cavemen were skipper, Jim Davidson who took 3/18 and Michael Stevenson who made 36 not out.
Nick Greaves took three wickets for the Swans.
“C” GRADE
Minor premier Lindenow South Glenaladale will do battle with Lakes Entrance in the “C” grade grand final.
Lakes Entrance will go into the game full of confidence having won the toss and electing to bat and amassing an impressive 4/246 from its allotment of 35 overs.
Mick Poynton (52) and skipper, Jacob Daly (35) got the team off to a great start, putting on 92 in the first 17 overs, which set a great launching pad for the middle order.
Ben Rotheram (59), James Daly (44) and Will Forrester (35 not out) all found the boundary regularly as the Seagulls pushed for a score they could defend on the fast ground.
Paynesville got off to a good start and were in a similar position after 17 overs, but crumbled under the pressure of some quality fielding and bowling from Lakes Entrance to be all out for just 135 in the 34th over.
Matt Hall (34) and Noah Greaves (30) both made solid contributions for the Gulls, with Eddy Di Fiore the star with the ball for the Seagulls taking 3/35.
The closest game of the weekend was played between the Bulls and Sarsfield, who have done and outstanding job to make the finals in its return season in the competition.
The Bulls registered a score of 8/113 from its 35 overs, with batting hard work, only Toby Green (28) and match winning cameo from Rowan Hellisen (43 not out), saving the ladder leader from embarrassment.
James Greenwood (3/12) and Tom Wolfe (3/32) did the damage for Sarsfield.
In reply, Sarsfield looked well placed throughout the innings to win the match, at 6/95 the game was theirs for the taking.
But wickets continued to fall, eventually the last pair required 15 to win, the dream ending on the second last ball of the game when tailender, Stephen Whately was run out with four runs still required.
Greenwood top scored for Sarsfield, while Stepen Greaves took 3/20 for the victorious and relieved Bulls.
