Grand weekend

GEELONG Cricket Club bowed out of the premier league finals in heartbreaking loss last weekend.
Set 219 to win by Footscray Edgewater, the Cats battled throughout day two. James Crosthwaite (118) led the way against Footscray Edgewater’s 219 but had little help facing a star-studded bowling attack that dismissed the Cats for 194.
However, reaching semi-finals was a good achievement for such a young squad, so the Cats have plenty to look forward to next year.
Geelong Cricket Association’s division one grand final pits St Joseph’s and South Barwon at Queen’s Park this weekend.
St Joseph’s defeated premiership favourite North Geelong to reach the grand final.
Batting first, Joeys got off to a great start with Daniel Fanning (39) and Ravi Ravee (29) before wickets steadily fell. The day ended with Joeys on 210, and Leigh Kentish top-scoring with 40.
Zac Thorne (4/55) was the pick of the North Geelong bowlers.
On Sunday all eyes were on the star-studded North Geelong top order but when Jake Thorne was dismissed cheaply by Sam McTaggart (6/65), the pressure began to build.
Andrew Ferguson (55), Sam Hall (32) and Mitch Troy (55) all tried valiantly but when Trent Walerys (3/39) claimed the last two wickets the Magpies were 12 runs shy of their target.
South Barwon advanced by defeating a lacklustre East Belmont.
The Lions never really got going and finished on 159 all-out.
South started strongly but when Brad Hauenstein was dismissed late on day one, the game was in the balance at 3/60.
Sam Scannell (4/45) took crucial early wickets but Clinton Peake (47 not-out) ensured South Barwon advanced.
Both sides will be desperate to end long premiership droughts but St Joseph’s is the pick to win.
In division two, the season’s best sides, Bell Post Hill and Thomson, meet in the grand final at Marshall Cricket Ground.
Bell Post Hill had a fantastic win over St Alban’s Breakwater when late-order runs built a score of 216.
St Albans Breakwater also started poorly and fell 46 runs short.
Thomson’s win over Marshall was more-methodical, the Tigers batting all of day one to post 182.
The Bears started brightly on Sunday until Adrian Saltalamacchia (5/26) lifted, leaving Marshall all-out for just 94.
Thomson deserves its spot but Bell Post Hill will be hard to beat.
In division three, Teesdale plays Shelford at Winchelsea.
Teesdale thrashed Bell Park last week, while Shelford won in a thriller.
Teesdale looks the stronger side but Shelford might just have the edge.