By CHRIS ANDERSON
YARRA VALLEY CRICKET ASSOCIATION
WELL if the regular season is anything to go by, the finals will be an intriguing competition. Not to be outdone by the recent intrigue surrounding the DJ Strachan Shield competition and its permutations and combinations, Round 14 capped off one of the most remarkable home-and-away seasons in many years.
Normally across the course of a season, four teams emerge as finalists a long way from the finishing post, with the occasional season having a couple of teams vying for the last finals position. Even the finishing positions of the final four can be fairly predictable. Not so 2013/14.
With one round remaining, and six teams still fighting for their survival, a fantastic final round of cricket ensured that cricket fans are salivating at the prospect of an exciting finals series.
Woori Yallock were the big winners of the weekend matches, as they easily accounted for Yarra Junction in a battle between two of the association’s most talented young teams. Yarra Junction has been the in-form side of the new year, and would’ve entered this contest confidently, and hungry to capture a home final. Batting first, the Eagles found the going tough against a brilliant Woori bowling line-up. Firebrand Jackson Wright (2/14) has been in fine form, and once again his pace proved damaging up front with the new ball. Useful contributions with the bat from Cam Spaulding (54) and Dan Lever (20) seemed to have the visitors on track for a decent score, however the introduction of the consistent Dan Ryan (3/12) and the versatile Dan Mock (2/14) nipped any big score in the bud as they made short work of Junction’s tail, rolling the Eagles for 110.
Woori Yallock possesses a talented top order, and they clicked in their chase of the tricky total. Holding things together after two relatively early wickets were in-form duo Cal Ferguson (32 n.o.) and Dan Mock (30 n.o.) as the pair put the pressure back on the Eagles bowlers, who were unable to respond. The Tigers marched to victory, and a place in the finals, with an impressive eight-wicket victory.
The big losers of the round, and there were a couple, had to be Coldstream. After spending the entire season in the top four, and looking like premiership favourites at times, a trip to Hoddles Creek looked like a sure bet when a finals berth is on the line, and a possible home final. Well how wrong were we. Hoddles Creek has become somewhat of a ’Croc Killer’ as they once again defeated Coldstream through hard work and determination. The visitors batted first and struggled to match the enthusiasm of the young Wombat bowlers. With Danny Adams succumbing to his first real failure of the new year (he did steal second top score), the talented Wombats, David Chesney (4/29), Nick Lawlor (3/32), and Nick Bark (2/24), went to work on the remaining Crocs batsmen. Stephen Phillips (46) did his bit for the visitors, but the home side were well pleased to dismiss Coldstream for 132.
Not perturbed by the lowish total, Coldstream went about their work with the ball on the back of Mathew Stark’s speed and accuracy. Luke Hetherington (27) and Mick Batten (20) were up for the fight, but found themselves dismissed before they could lead the Wombats to safe ground. With a battle ensuing between the tight Coldstream attack and the dogged Hoddles Creek lower order, it was left to the brave hearted Nick Bark (20 n.o.) to take his team to victory by three wickets, in a tight finish. With results in other games going against them, Coldstream found themselves without a finals berth.
The most disappointed team from Round 14 would be Warburton-Millgrove who won a scintillating game against Mount Evelyn, but find themselves victim of the ’too little, too late’ curse as early season inconsistent form has cost them the opportunity to experience finals again. In a see-sawing battle between two former heavyweight champions, tight bowling from the Mount Evelyn openers had them on the front foot early.
A gutsy innings from captain Troy Murphy (35) ensured the Burras wouldn’t be wiped away, but consistent wickets saw the home side struggling at 6/76. A brilliant rearguard action from the Burras lower order saw them take advantage of a tiring fielding side to post a significant total of 8/173.
With conditions excellent for batting, Mount Evelyn made short work of the early going as they looked the goods at 2/101 in the 15th over. On the back of blistering innings from Troy Hancock (40), Kane Jones (38) and Gareth Fraser (20), the Rovers looked well set for victory and an outside chance of finals action. As has been the case for most of the season, the Rovers couldn’t capitalise on this early dominance, and with the Burras bereft of options, they turned to the evergreen Mick Walker to once again get them out of a sticky situation. After bowling an economical opening spell, Walker ripped through Mount Evelyn’s middle to lower order with his second to capture brilliant figures of 5/34. With the support of the equally experienced, and reliable, duo of Adam Humphrey (3/29) and Luke Darwall (2/22), the visitors were bowled out for 151 to end a disappointing run to finals. After looking like they may have clinched an unlikely finals berth, news soon travelled up the Valley to confirm the Burras had fallen agonisingly close to their finals dream.
Healesville looked as if they had spewed all over themselves in recent weeks as they stumbled and tripped their way out of finals contention. With a host of teams eyeing off their position in the four, and a tough match up against the flying Seville, one would’ve forgiven them for taking a ’Quick Ease’ and an early nap. Healesville would have none of this and pulled off a comprehensive victory, confirmed their place in the finals, and secured a home final in one foul swoop in a remarkable turn in form. After plundering the Mount Evelyn attack in the previous round, Seville went from lions to pussy cats as the Bloods dismissed the premiership favourites for a mediocre 125. Stung into action with one last roll of the dice left, the visitors produced their best bowling, and fielding performance of the season. With an even bowling performance, Chance Burridge (3/31) and Dylan Moore (2/17) were standouts.
With what seemed a sub par score, anyone in the know around the Valley knows that no score is easily chased against the might of Seville’s bowling line-up. Someone forgot to tell the boys from Healesville, as they sauntered to the target. Brian Scanlon continues to impress with his allround ability, and his form since Christmas has belied the form of his team. Scoring 62 not out, with the assistance of the once out of favour Stephen James (47 n.o.), Scanlon led his team to an impressive, and hugely morale boosting victory as they won by nine wickets.
So that leaves us with a pair of tasty semi finals next weekend. Seville host Woori Yallock in a game that will see how much last weekend’s failure hurts the home side. One suggests the big game experience, and the all-round talent, of the Blues has them favourites, but the Tigers do possess some of the competition’s finest talent, with both bat and ball. Healesville host Yarra Junction in a contest that is a flip of the coin. A week ago, you would’ve had Junction well in front of the struggling Bloods, however after the weekend’s results involving the two sides, one would be a silly man to put a wager on this contest as it will come down to whose guns will fire.
DJ Strachan Shield
Healesville 1/129 (B Scanlon 62 n.o., S James 47 n.o.) d Seville 125 (R. Akers 34, T. Dwyer 28, C. Burridge 3/31, D. Moore 2/17) .
Hoddles Creek 7/135 (L. Hetherington 27, N. Bark 20 n.o., M. Batten 20. L. Doughty 2/34 M Stark 2/37) d Coldstream 132 (S. Phillips 46, D. Adams 25, D. Chesney 4/29 N. Lawlor 3/32 N. Bark 2/24)
Woori Yallock 2/111 (C. Ferguson 32 n.o., D.Mock 30 n.o., T. Ottrey 1/12, D. Lever 1/18) d Yarra Junction 110 (C. Spaulding 54, D. Lever 20, D. Ryan 3/12, J. Wright 2/14, D. Mock 2/14).
Warburton-Millgrove 8/173 (T. Murphy 35, B. Woods 29, S. Ablitt 21 n.o., C. Anderson 3/33, G. Fraser 2/49) d Mount Evelyn 151 (T. Hancock 40, K. Jones 38, G. Fraser 20, M. Walker 5/34, A. Humphrey 3/29, l. Darwall 2/22)
RA Finger Trophy
Healesville 1/95 (D. Fry 52 n.o., B. Horner 31, G. Woodford 1/17) d Seville 90 (M. Johnson 23, R. Howard-Scales 4/22, D. Kerr 4/31).
Yarra Glen 8/228 (J. Evans 79, A. Cowan 50, B. Winzer 3/38) d Warburton-Millgrove 9/219 (T. Appleton 106, B. Winzer 36, J. Bourke 3/66).
Hoddles Creek 4/90 (L. Rowe 31 n.o., A. Finch 22, C. Pegg 2/18) d Coldstream 86 (P. McArdle 21, D. Chesney 4/11, S. Leman 3/21).
Yarra Junction 7/122 (M. Hottes 25, M. Robinson 25, Sachee 21, C. Fall 18, D. Sanders 2/15, M. White 2/23) d Woori Yallock 120 (D. Worlley 35, T. Smith 18, M. Hottes 5/27).
C Grade
Seville 4/121 (L McGookin 69 n.o., B. Mackey 1/8) d Healesville 8/119 (J. Braemar 32, B. Slater 28, C. Rackham 3/17).
Launching Place 6/237 (C. Hoare 70, L. Jenkins 53. L. Fisher 2/35) d Marysville 109 (L. Fisher 39 B Piergrosse 6/41), Gruyere District 4/246 (A Waixel 115*, A Vassallo 76, D Fraser 2/15, I Hawkey 1/10) d Mount Evelyn 9/175 (I. Hawkey 53, A. Whiting 34, N. Hodgetts 4/17, G. Sweetten 3/24), Wandin vs Bye
D Grade
Seville 3/120 (S. Mundie 40 n.o., B. Stevenson 25, I. Bolch 1/7, D. Bolch 1/7) d Healesville 6/107 (C. Bunn 74 n.o., H. Van Veen 2/9).
Hoddles Creek 8/161 (A. Wylde 68, J. Lawrence 24, L. Thomas 4/22, B. Rowley 2/15) d Launching Place 126 (M. Rowley 38, A. Cope 26, A. Wylde 3/25, M. Porter 2/15).
Yarra Junction 4/79 (B. Hawkins 32, J. Dobson 2/24) d Wandin 77 (D. Marshall 24, G. Foden 23, T. Gaskett 6/17, B. Nightingale 2/23), Powelltown 3/124 (J. Cornish 63 R. Willson 2/10) d Mount Evelyn 103 (G. Robertson 21 C. Robertson 21, J. Neale 3/27 S. Thompson 3/10), Coldstream vs Bye
C Grade vs D Grade
Wandin 3/293 (J. Oakley 119 n.o., R. Painter 61, M. Oakley 41) d Coldstream 193 (D. Fritsch 83 n.o., B. Wheeler 36, L. Chisolm 22, R. Aittken 3/47, S. Dolan 2/10, M. Oakley 2/32)
One Day Grade
Silvan 2/150 (J. Rowe 41 n.o., R. Dipietrantonio 40 n.o., C. Murphy 37) d Wandin 147 (T. Thorne 39, D. Trembath 38, J. Hartman 2/38).
Woori Yallock 3/155 (S. Collette 42 n.o., J. Collette 40 n.o., G. Beard 1/23, M.Slater 1/25) d Yarra Junction 9/131 (C. Staines 32, J. Bennett 26, M. Rimmer 2/8, G. Sanders 2/12).
Warburton 2/89 (M. Wynd 34 n.o. G. White 1/12) d Marysville 8/81 (B. Thomas 15 n.o., M. Wynd 2/16 T. Hallmart 1/0).
Yarra Glen Gold 9/199 (R. Beath 42 n.o., J. Woods 43 n.o., S. Page 2/17, C. Bakken 2/24) d Seville 8/66 (T. Page 25, R. Thurkle 1/1, R. Beath 1/10)
Under 16
Healesville White 5/269 (J. Seymour 55 n.o., D. Fry 50 n.o., D. Kerr 49, A. Whiting 2/25) d Mount Evelyn 9/126 (T. Williams 40, J. Williams 21, J. Seymour 4/25, B. Binion 2/24), Healesville Red 6/149 (L. Daly 54, L. Zanatta 31, D. Chesney 2/24, B. Cole 2/26) d Hoddles Creek/Yarra Junction 9/124 (M. Jones 32, K. Bunn 4/22, J. Brooks 2/25), Seville Blue 9/175 (M. Arnold 42, D. Kennedy 27, J. Nelson 3/11 A. Sequeira 3/10) d Warburton-Millgrove/Launching Place 95 (J. Nelson 22, D. Kennedy 3/8 J. McKenna 2/10 J. Collette 2/10), Yarra Glen 5/171 (A. Adamson 50 n.o., L. Crawford 32, D. Whelan 20 n.o., A. Smith 20 n.o., N. Howell 2/36) d Coldstream 119 (N. Simon 24, C. McArdle 20, C. Hindhaugh 4/16) , Seville Gold vs Bye
