Highton grabbed the final spot in the Geelong Cricket Association Division 1 top four with a superb run chase against St Joseph’s.
The Heat will front up against Grovedale for an elimination final this weekend after chasing down Joeys’ 230 all out.
Highton’s deep batting line-up compiled 6/232 with Jack Cook (65) and Zac Wills (49) contributing.
At 6/197, Errol Burns (16 not out) joined Tejas Gupta (26 not out off 24 balls). The pair combined for an unbroken 35-run stand to see the Heat safely home and into the finals.
Andrew Vine capped off a great game for St Joseph’s, taking three wickets to go with his day one 76.
Grovedale fine tuned for its elimination final with a big win against East Belmont.
The Tigers made light work of the small total of 107 and batted all day for 6/321 with twin centuries to Jack Wrigglesworth (121 not out from 129 deliveries) and Jordan Moran (102 off 113).
A six-wicket haul from Lachie Sperling helped Newtown & Chilwell win the minor premiership and defeat South Barwon.
Sperling took 6/46 from 25 overs while Nick Burke grabbed three wickets with South Barwon all out for 199 in reply to the Two Blues’ 248.
Harry Hauenstein made a nice 68 for South Barwon.
St Peters was unable to climb into fourth spot, being well beaten by North Geelong.
Needing 296 for victory and any shot at fourth place, St Peters was bowled out for 61 with Magpies’ left-armer Tom Mathieson taking 5/17, paceman Dale Kerr 3/26 and spinner Bailey Sykes 2/10.
The Saints were asked to follow on, but made it safely to 1/32 when stumps were pulled.
DIVISION 2
A century to Lara’s Rob Sodomaco was a highlight from Division 2. Sodomaco made 102 for the unbeaten minor premiers in a good win against Torquay.
Leopold’s Jake Le Maistre took 5/23 in his side’s win against Geelong West.
Bell Park defeated Bell Post Hill to claim fourth spot with Nikhil Deep Pottabathini getting a well-compiled 66.
Jason (3/38) and Daniel (3/47) Grozdanovski were instrumental in Murgheboluc’s win against Geelong City despite a fine 65 from Byron Taylor.
DIVISION 3
A superb all-round game from Corio skipper Anthony Grace dominated play in Division 3. Grace made 179 not out on day one and then took 8/106 from 31.4 overs to give the Devils a win against Thomson despite 102 from Seb Dew.
A five-wicket haul to Jake Dubbeldam allowed Alexander Thomson to bowl Bannockburn out for 164, a 222-run win.
Manifold Heights finished the season with a four-wicket win against Modewarre with Matthew Pratt (6/18 and 48) player of the match.
Blayke Sadler took 5/10 from 11 overs as Marshall overpowered Waurn Ponds Deakin. The two sides will meet in an elimination final this week.
DIVISION 4
Sam Giles (89) and Hayden Spiller (69) spearheaded Lethbridge in a warm up for the elimination final against Newcomb & District.
A typically hard-hitting 55 from 39 balls from Andrew Spengler gave Little River the minor premiership and a win against St Albans Breakwater.
A big game from Harli Givvens (52 from 28 balls and 3/39) and four wickets to Joel Hart ensured Meredith got the points against Teesdale.
FINALS
Saturday March 15 & Sunday March 16
Division 1, 11am start
Newtown & Chilwell vs North Geelong at Queens Park Reserve, Highton
Grovedale vs Highton at Burdoo Reserve, Grovedale
Division 2, 11am start
Lara vs Murgheboluc at Bisinella Oval, Lara
Bell Park vs Torquay at Hamlyn Park
Division 3, 11.45am start
Thomson vs Alexander Thomson at Thomson Recreation Reserve
Marshall vs Waurn Ponds Deakin at Lawn Addicts Oval, South Barwon Reserve
Saturday March 15
Division 4, 11.15am start
Little River vs Meredith at Little River Reserve
Lethbridge vs Newcomb & District at Lethbridge Recreation Reserve
