Saints make final charge

By Steve Brown
ST JOHNS Tecoma are making a final charge for the fourth position and a finals berth in the last round of the FTGDCA’s Knox Tavern Cup in their match against The Basin.
The Saints must win and rely on Knoxfield to defeat Eildon Park next week in order to make the Division 1 finals for the first time.
Meanwhile at the bottom end of the ladder, Lysterfield, The Basin and Knoxfield are desperate to avoid relegation in a season where consistent form is totally out the window.
St Johns hit the highest score of the day after early rain and will defend 211 at Batterham Reserve, with Dean Palandri back among the runs with 70.
For the Huntsmen, talented medium pacer Shane Underhill collected 6/64. However, the real test will be next week when strike bowlers Hardy and Pearce take on powerful hitters, Luckman and Heath.
Knoxfield, on their 40th birthday performed well against the highly fancied Eildon Park (136), with Shane Cosstick a lone hand with 45.
Injured star Ben Morris returned for his first game of the season taking 4/49 and with the Knights on 1/26 at stumps, skipper Trent Scholfield will be keen to arrest Eildon Park’s season.
In the grand final replay of last year, Lysterfield were again disappointing with the bat after being knocked over for 157 by Rowville, courtesy of a brilliant spell from left-arm paceman Craig Arnell with 5/14.
Shannon Whitty, unbeaten on 65, was the only batsman to show any grit for the Beavers, but the old cliche “it’s not over until the fat lady sings” proved to be correct with Rowville 5/42 at the close of play.
Upper Gully wasted opportunities against Belgrave and were all out for 180 in the 73rd over. Cam Lizza (43) and Dean Roberts (40) both got starts whilst Scott Vozzo was the pick of the bowlers with 4/30 with 8 maidens from 18 overs.
Mountain Gate’s Athula Samarasekera completed a good season with the bat with 56 against Ferntree Gully at Dobson Park. However, the Gator’s 153 will not be enough to hold the top side.
Brett McIntyre (5/57) and Mark Butters (4/47) were solid contributors for the Blues.
Upwey (182) have a chance against second-placed Johnson Park in a game which will have no bearing on the top four.
Victorian Country U21 representative Steve Bowen took 3/5 after returning from Country Week.
Upwey’s Michael Coles was the best performer in Decoite Shield with a sensational 8/45 against Johnson Park whilst Footballer’s speedster Steve Hart has the ball on a string, adding another six-wicket haul to his bag of eight in the last round.
The VB Country Week series, held last week, was a great success with the FTGDCA’s first team competing in Division 1 for the first time in 26 years. With three very close matches and a washout, the team led by Jason Fraser finished a credible third on the ladder, whilst the young squad in Division 3 also ended a good week taking third position.
Manager Arnie Walters said, “it was a sensational performance by both teams to finish third. We proved that we can match the big boys in Division 1 with the highlight of the week defeating Ballarat on the last ball of the day by one run. Our second side also defeated Seymour and Benalla on their own turf with some very encouraging performances from some up-and-coming players. We are really looking forward to next year.”