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Tuesday, 18 March, 2014 Page 25
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Blues to defend title YARRA Valley Cricket Association finals kicked off this weekend after a season of intriguing results leading to a much-anticipated finals series. In all grades, final positions were only decided in the final round, so it was expected that the Semi Finals would be closely fought contests. In the competition’s premier grade, DJ Strachan Shield, the old adage that form at the right time of the year is vitally important going into finals rang true as reigning premiers Seville face Yarra Junction in the Grand Final. Both sides have clearly been the best in the business since Christmas and thoroughly deserve their opportunity to take out the ultimate prize. Seville hosted Woori Yallock and made the most of winning the toss and batting. With mixed fortunes with the bat in the final two rounds of the home-and- away season, many wondered which Seville would turn up. Woori Yallock has the bowling attack to challenge the reigning champions and early signs were positive for the Tigers. However, the ship towards the Grand Final had already well and truly set sail. In RA Finger Trophy action, Healesville will meet Yarra Junction in an unlikely pairing as most had pencilled in another Healesville/Seville Grand Final battle. Yarra Junction pulled off the biggest upset of the Semi Final weekend as they stopped the powerful Seville line-up in their tracks - halting the Blues in their quest for a fourth consecutive premiership. Yarra Junction was able to restrict Seville to 9/170 in a fascinating battle between bat and ball on day one. Experienced trio Scott Luckhurst (41), Scott Troyhan (33 n.o.) and Garth Woodford (21) ensured the Blues would have a total to defend. However, the equally experienced Chris Fall (5/40) applied the brakes on the innings to have his Eagles well and truly in the race. Launching Place secured their place in the Grand Final with a commanding victory over Seville. Launch scored an impressive 298, on day one, on the back of a superb century by Cam Hoare. Well supported by Lennie Jenkins (42) and Andy Vandervlugt (46), Hoare had Launch on target for a massive score at 5/265 with 20 overs to play. A fight back from Craig Rackham (5/63) and Liam McGookin (3/21) ensured Seville did exceptionally well to restrict the score to under 300. The chase still proved too great for the Blues as run machine Hoare completed a remarkable individual game taking 7/33 and rolling Seville
Seville’s Scott Rackham tries for a single. Picture: GREG CARRICK 116874
Seville’s Lee Aitkins goes out LBW bowled by Jackson Wright (Woori Yallock). 116874 for 89 in the process. In the other Semi, Wandin completed an impressive victory on the road to Marysville. Batting first, Dave Marshall (85) and Jamie Oakley (58) continued their brilliant form with the bat leading the Bulldogs to 257. Marysville have been the in-form team in C Grade all season and one expected the Villains to give the total a shake on home soil. Leigh Fisher (70) has been a star with the bat all season, and at times in their chase, it looked as though he may drag his side to victory. His dismissal in sight of another century brought the challenge to an end as Oakley (4/40) and Brent Johnson (3/47) ensured the Bulldogs would feature in Grand Final action - dismissing the Villains for 165. Like the other grades, many had the top two teams in D Grade, Powelltown and Wandin, well ahead in the race to the Grand Final but after day one of action both semi-finals were well in the balance. Tony Spargo (72) and Lyle Roberts (40) did their best to thwart a formidable Powelltown attack led by Benny Dunne (5/41) and Stuart Thompson (3/44). Seville’s total of 184 had the game well poised however overnight rain and afternoon showers forced the abandonment of the second day’s play ending Seville’s brave fight for a place in the big dance. Wandin posted a tricky chase of 225 on day one of their contest against Yarra Junction with Dave Thorne (64) and Michael Haggar (37) leading the way for the Bulldogs. Youngster Jesse Cook (4/59) and the experienced David Flutter (2/19) kept thing in check with the ball and the value of their efforts became more evident as the second day’s play unfolded. Matt Mallick (99) fell agonisingly close to a much-deserved century, but with the support of Chris Stanes (41) the Eagles won an entertaining affair with three wickets in hand. In the One Day Grade, Silvan will play Yarra Glen in the season decider. Yarra Glen made short work of Wandin, bowling the Bulldogs out for 77 and then cruising to the total with the loss of only two wickets. Premiership favourites Silvan had a tougher
battle against Seville. Eventually, the Blues were bowled out for 160 cutting short their brave fight for a spot in the Grand Final. DJ STRACHAN SHIELD Seville 211 (Yasalal 60, Kay 48, Rackham 30, Troyahn 24, Wright 3/30, Young 3/70) d Woori Yallock 137 (Diggins 32, Smith 27, Amarasinghe 4/35, Tilney 3/32). Yarra Junction 9/134 (Spaulding 58, Lever 20, James 5/36, Hamer 3/40, Chandler 1/19) d Healesville 82 (Scanlon 37, Hamer 13, Lever 5/16, Ottrey 2/7, Sharp 2/18). RA FINGER TROPHY Yarra Junction 3/178 (Bhagya 79, Robinson 58 n.o., Troyahn 2/45) d Seville 9/170 (Luckhurst 41, Troyahn 33 n.o., Woodford 21, Fall 5/40). Healesville 154 (Fry 51, Davern 34, White 3/17, Webb 3/30) d Woori Yallock 64 (Dwyer 15, HowardScales 5/36, Kerr 3/12). C GRADE Wandin 257 (Marshall 85, Oakley 58, Cummins 4/42, Mathews 3/51) v Marysville165 (Fisher 70, Matthews 32, Oakley 4/40, Johnson 3/47). Launching Place 298 (Hoare 134, Jenkins 42, Vanderlaught 46, Rackham 5/63, McGookin 3/21) d Seville 89 (McGookin 32, Hoare 7/33). D GRADE Yarra Junction 7/226 (Staines 41, Mallick 99, Mckenzie 2/32, Dobson 2/39) d Wandin 225 (Thorne 64, Haggar 37, Cook 4/59, Flutter 2/19). Seville 184 (Spargo 72, Roberts 40, Dunne 5/41, Thompson 3/44) vs Powelltown (game washed out, Powelltown progress to the Grand Final due to a higher ladder position). ONE DAY GRADE Yarra Glen Gold 2/85 (Beath 40 n.o., Foster 25 n.o., Sinnott 1/0) d Wandin 77 (Sinnott 17 n.o., Alderman 17, Davey 3/8, Whelan 2/10, Thurkle 2/12). Silvan 9/198 (Dipietrantonio 52 n.o., Murphy 32, Pearse 3/19, Wilson 2/17) d Seville 160 (Page 50 n.o., Pearse 36, Lamonica 2/5). UNDER 16 Seville Gold 5/96 (Page 31, Byrne 34 n.o.) d Healesville Red 92 (Daly 51 n.o., Page 3/25, Mullins 2/2, Kear 2/16). Seville Blue 210 (Smith 53, Garner 52 n.o., Dyason 35, Fry 2/27) d Healesville White 130 (Mimi 35, McGrath 26, Garner 3/24, Dall 2/9, Arnold 2/15).
Woori Yallock bowler Dan Ryan in full Pictures: GREG CARRICK flight. 116874
Scoreboard GREYHOUNDS HEALESVILLE - SUNDAY 16 MARCH Race 1: Select Sanz, No Mower, Bran Nue Koonora. Race 2: Pava to Excite, He’s Schmick, Black Beard. Race 3: Ten Grand Large, Encee Eye Gibbs. Race 4: Eyeful of Bling, Santana Wind, Wakeup Wednesday. Race 5: Undercover Girl, Fly Freddie, My Senorita. Race 6: Texan, Five Star Knocka, Soldier Spy. Race 7: Extraordinary, It’s Manic, Newfire Charged. Race 8: Black Selandra, Gar John, High Light Star. Race 9: Bizarre Bling, Deadly Clear, Jane Eliza. Race 10: Saaho, Kingston Reign, Where’s Asha. Race 11: April Rose, Code Breaker, Musica. Race 12: Cosmic Rush, Challis Miss, Ghostly Thoughts. GOLF WARBURTON Thursday twilight stableford: Winner: R. Logan (20 points) on a countback from G. Handasyde (20). Balls down to 18. NTP: 1st R. Hendy, 3rd P. Munro, 9th P. Kennedy. TENNIS HEALESVILLE - SEMI-FINALS Girls singles/doubles section eight: Healesville 5/35 d Wantirna 1/21. Seniors open section five: Currawong 4/33 d Healesville 0/21.