By Christopher Anderson
Week two of finals actions provided the virtual mixed bag for cricketers over the weekend. Scorching heat on Saturday forcing the abandonment of play for the lower grades, whilst Sunday saw wintery conditions severely hampering the prospect of play for most.
For the Community Bank – Mt Evelyn 1st XI, the indifferent weather forecast made for tricky planning for captain Troy Hancock. With the team the lower ranked for their Preliminary Final clash against Warrandyte, the Mounters knew that forcing a result would be necessary, which is particularly hard when you are unsure of how much game time will be afforded you in their pursuit of victory. With a full day’s play a certainty for Saturday, Hancock elected to bat first in a move to secure early runs and dictate the pace of the game. Although some reckless strokeplay cost some early wickets, with the score quickly slipping to 4/57, the run rate always remained high. Opener Adam Smith has gone from strength to strength this season, and his assured approach has given the Mt Evelyn batting order some much-needed structure. Smith was able to ensure the scoreboard continued to tick over, but was relatively risk-free in his approach. Smith’s strong driving was a cornerstone to his innings as he picked off runs continuously on a slow Warrandyte Reserve. Smith would find a reliable alley in Daniel Fraser, and the pair were able to progress the score with minimal fuss, regaining some composure, as the innings was in danger of imploding under the pressure of forcing the game along. An even paced 57-run partnership allowed the Mounters to regain some control of the contest and how the remainder of their innings would progress. Although the pair would fall desperately short of deserved half-centuries, their contributions would set a platform for the remaining batsmen to chase a healthy total in quick time.
Campbell Mole would be the main beneficiary of the earlier work of his teammates, and a run-a-ball 43, and the help of the tail would see the team approach a score of 200. Declaration would be taken out of their hands as the team would be dismissed for 192, but Hancock would be well pleased at the scoring rate, and it gave his team some 38 overs to bowl on day one to make some serious inroads into the Warrandyte batting line up. Fast bowler, Caleb Hrabe would give the visitors the ideal start taking early wickets. With wickets prime value, his sustained effort in bowling 15 overs in stifling conditions to take 3/33, really gave his team a lift. However, some assured batting by the Bloods over the closing overs, saw them only lose three wickets and leave the contest in the lap of the weather as the Mounters would need some significant time on Sunday to bowl their opponents out. A tame draw would not be enough.
For most of Sunday morning, play of any form looked a remote possibility, let alone enough to force a result. Things looked grim for the visitors as play didn’t look at all possible for a long time. The skies parted enough for a start to be contemplated, and after an early tea adjournment, the action was able to be resumed. The question would be for how long. Unperturbed, the calculation was simple for the Mounters, take seven wickets post haste. Jake Blackwell, Mt Evelyn’s most consistent cricketers post-Christmas, had the Mounters buzzing straight up with an early strike, but the hosts would continue to make things tough for the visitors. When Darcy Fraser had the dangerous Brady Poole caught at midwicket with the score on 5/105, the game began to swing in the Mounters’ favour. Fraser and Blackwell would battle on gamely, and when most would call for a change the moment the game drifted, Hancock would hold his nerve, and his bowlers would respond. The pair would bowl unchanged for the entirety of the second day’s play. Five wickets would fall for the addition of 31 runs and the visitors would find themselves on the brink of a remarkable victory with just one wicket to claim and plenty of time on the clock.
This game was not going to end without Mother Nature throwing another twist into the equation. Upon taking the ninth wicket, the heavens opened once again, and this time it looked as if the Mounters’ pursuit of victory would be cruelled by the hand of fate. Much credit must go to the approach of both teams and the officials in charge, that a return to the cricket field remained a possibility. With the briefest window left, the visitors would be given a last-gasp opportunity to claim what they were after, and when Blackwell trapped Luke Killey at the crease, and umpire Rod Jenkins saw no reason to turn down the appeal, Mt Evelyn’s players and supporters alike embraced in joy as their team would secure an unlikely position in the Grand Final. A reward for persistence and positivity.
The 1st XI will now take on a strong South Warrandyte lineup who brutally swept them aside in the final round of the season. For the Hawks, it will be their third home Grand Final in as many seasons. Will they be able to overcome their demons? For the Mounters, winning form is good form, but can they keep the intensity and energy up for a third consecutive weekend? This final promises to be a classic with high scoring on the cards.
The Lilydale Tyres 5th XI were left to wait another week in their quest for glory. Their Grand Final against Montrose was curtailed by heat on the Saturday, rain on the Sunday, but ultimately it would be the misfortune of their opponents and their battle with a bushfire in their backyard that curtailed any action from happening. Gratitude must go to those who fought the fires late into the evening and a sobering reality that cricket is just a game, and that we all can meet again in a week’s time, in better conditions, to ensure that a fitting scene is set for the final game of the season.
Not to be outshone by their more experienced club members, the Mt Evelyn Under 14s capped off a remarkable season by capturing a thrilling two-wicket victory against Yarra Junction. After being completely outclassed by the Eagles in the Qualifying Final and then squeaking through a tied game in the Preliminary Final against Yarra Glen/Kilsyth, questions were asked about how much resilience this team had left. Those who wear maroon should not be questioned! In a classic contest, fitting of a Grand Final, both teams would go tooth and nail in their quest for the ultimate prize. Yarra Junction would bat first, and it would be an old-fashioned arm wrestle. The Eagles would bat out their overs for a score of 6/100. A score that would have both teams pleased with their efforts. Both teams had an even contribution with bat and ball.
Mt Evelyn’s innings would proceed in a similar fashion. For the whole journey, the run rate was kept at that that was required, with Harry and Ben Dunstone’s mid innings contributions proving vital. The pair would put the Mounters in a strong position, but there was still plenty of work to be done. The tail would wobble, but the cool heads of Toby Kenins and Jacob Glover would remain calm, and the pair would guide their team to victory in the final over of the game. Back-to-back flags for the Mt Evelyn Cricket Club Under 14s.
