Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club’s Third XI has progressed through to the Premier Cricket semi finals after they put in an outstanding effort to defeat St Kilda last week.
In a system where the lower ranked team has to win, while the higher ranked team can simply draw the match to progress, the Cats were aggresive from the outset, knocking up 248 (declared) on the back of 66 to Joe Vallelonga and 64 to Michael Condy.
From there, the bowlers went to work, skipper Jake Clapham snaring 3/21, before paceman Shane Van Den Nouwland destroyed the Saints lower order with some fearsome fast bowling, taking 4/28 to see the Cats home by 97 runs.
They will now play Melbourne Uni at Bill Lawry Oval for a spot in the grand final.
Unfortunately, the Geelong Fourth XI went down, but their young side can be proud of a promising season.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, it’s Grand Final weekend, and in Division One it is Grovedale who progressed through to take on minor premier East Belmont in the decider at Queens Park.
While neither side had it all their own way last week, they both had enough depth and will power to get the job done.
East Belmont were asked to bowl first against South Barwon, and the Swans never really put any meaningful partnerships together.
While Brad Hauenstein top scored with 40, he lacked support as Dave Lineen went to work taking 5/54, while evergreen star Chris Bambury took 3/48, as the Swans could only manage 160.
In reply, East slumped to 2/31 early, but Andrew Baars stood firm in a classical knock of 85 not out to guide his side into the big one by 4 four wickets.
Grovedale took on Lara at South Barwon, and although Lara started well with a 46 run opening stand to Ben Smiljanic and Rob Sodomaco, the Tigers were cock a hoop approaching stumps when they dismissed them for just 139.
But with eight overs to bat, they amazingly lost 3/4 as Danny Hughes and Luke Wilson struck with the new ball.
Jack James began the follwoing day in positive fashion making 41, while Gareth Yelland continued his recent good form guiding the side home by four wickets with a sure handed 42 not out.
It is 10 years since these two sides last played off in a Grand Final, on that occasion East were too strong, and if they can play at their best this weekend, they should be able to get the same result.
In division two, St Albans Breakwater progressed through to the Grand Final after smashing Marshall, but it isn’t Highton they will play as most people expected, but St Peters.
Highton were dominant early, with four bowlers all taking 2 wickets apiece, as they bundled out St Peters for just 130.
But Sunday provided a complete turnaround as veteran opening bowler Steve Illingworth took 6/70 from a marathon 30 overs to dismiss the highly fancied Heat for just 121.
St Albans Breakwater started nervously in their game, falling to 7/68 before Justin Miller with 50 and Andrew Vine with 67 took the score to 197 at stumps.
In reply, Marshall never looked like getting anywhere near that score, all out for a very disappointing 55, Vine again the star with 6/7.
While St Peters go in with nothing to lose, it’s hard to St Albans Breakwater throwing away a golden opportunity to win the cup, and should get the job done.
And in division three, the two best sides all year will meet in the big dance.
Shelford won through on the back of a clinical 6 wicket win over Corio, chasing down just 91 with a minimum of fuss.
Bannockburn did a similar number on Little River, racking up a mammoth 243 on day one, on the back of 79 to Conner Jervies and 75 to Shane Hicckleton.
The Redbacks managing just 112 in reply, four bolwers taking 2 wickets each.
This is a hard game to pick, but Shelford finished the season on top for a reason, and could just be a bit too classy.
