Surf Coast rivals Anglesea and Jan Juc will meet for the fourth consecutive time in this weekend’s Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade final.
Both teams won their way into the decider from the bottom half of the top four with Jan Juc sending an ominous warning that its batting line-up may be peaking at the right time.
The Sharks made 8/249 against minor premiers Queenscliff, a total that would prove way too difficult to chase down.
Openers Tom Kearney (89 from 191 deliveries) and Iva Priest (46 from 63) put on 96 and from there, the Sharks never looked back with Nick Hyden (79 not out) continuing his impressive form.
Slow bowlers Mitch Potter and Lachie Stott each grabbed three wickets for Queenscliff.
The Coutas were no match for the Sharks with the bat with Lachie Kidd (44 from 52 balls) making half his team’s runs as left-armers Lachie Ayton and Jordy Graham each snared three wickets to have Queenscliff all out for 88.
Anglesea booked yet another final spot, beating Barrabool in a clinical performance.
Barrabool was all out for 116 batting first with James Jirik playing well for his 45, but it was Seas’ skipper Dylan Taylor, who took 4/16 with his left-arm pace that was nicely complimented by the leg-spin of Joe Lynch, who snared 4/37 from 15 overs.
Anglesea chased the target down with six wickets to spare thanks to an important 49 from 115 balls by keeper Tyron Norman.
In A2 Grade, Barwon Heads meets Drysdale to battle it out for promotion to next season’s A1 Grade competition.
Both sides put in clinical performances for different reasons.
Barwon Heads dominated with the bat, making 3/314 with Brent McMinn and Jason Mallett sharing a 191-run opening stand.
McMinn made a delightful 122 from 173 balls and Mallett got 71 from 183 while Darcy Hewitt scored 37 and Charlie Hurst remained not out on 36 with Ben Harris still there on 35.
Matt Sampson-Barnes tried valiantly to get Wallington over the line with a superb 106 and Sven Burluraux made 37, but the huge total was just too much with Sam Schaller coming to the rescue for Barwon Heads with 5/55 from 24 overs to have the Wallabies all out for 200.
Drysdale bowled itself into the decider by routing Winchelsea for 85 with Blake Dobbin and Ben Spencer each grabbing three wickets.
The Hawks ended the contest a day early, making the runs five wickets down with skipper Nick Hallam continuing his thirst for runs with 39.
