BDCA Finals Week 1
by
Stephen Prowse
--
Monday, 14 March 2011
Sandhurst Cricket Club entered the 2010/2011 finals campaign with 2 senior sides and 2 junior sides still in contention. The First XI who in qualifying for the finals, had broken a 24 year drought in finishing 4th, competed against top of the table Bendigo United.
The Dragons won the toss and batted, and were in immediate troublle at 3/12. Wickets continued to fall with none of the top 6 able to surpass 20. It was Leon Beatty 32 and Quinton Bentley who added 30 for the 9th wicket and Quinton and Elias Bowe who added 16 for the final wicket that pushed Sandhurst to 131 all out.
Despite a total that appeared to be 40 or 50 below par, in the field Sandhurst's disciplined bowling, and solid work in the field, fought the game out as long as possible claiming 7 wickets before BUCC's claimed victory in the 78th over. Quinton Bentley 3/28 off 28 overs with 16 maidens bowled tirelessly, and Ben Leed also claimed 3 wickets to finish with 3/27.
After several recent near misses, the thirds also made their first appearance in the finals since their premiership winning side of 2001/2002. Also finishing 4th, they were drawn against top of the table and undefeated Bendigo United at Tannery Lane.
After a free flowing start from BUCC's reaching 0/30 off 10, Sandhurst applied the brakes and through a combination of disciplined bowling, solid back up in the field and and a slow outfield, restricted BUCC's to just 101 runs for 6 in the final 40 overs. Levi Walker 4/20 off 10 and a run out, Bodee Scullie 0/18 off 10 were particularly effective in the middle stages of the innings.
Set 132 to win and for a spot in the grand final the redbacks bowling attack was never going to make it easy for the Dragons. After a steady start of 2/32, Bodee Scullie joined Simon Turnbull at the crease and the pair turned things in the Dragons favor, adding 62 for the 3rd wicket before the dismissal of skipper Simon Turnbull for 41 threatened to change the game.
Still requiring only 38 in 17 overs with 7 wickets in hand should be comfortable enough for the Dragons. Unfortunately the vagaries of 3rd xi cricket mean this would not be the case. The dismissal of Felini and then Scullie for 47 left Sandhurst needing 16 with 5 wickets in hand. Three more wickets fell for the addition of 7 runs leaving Sandhurst needing 9 with 2 wickets in hand.
Enter Josh Kinsman, or "Mr Freeze" as he is now to be known, he calmly dispatched the ball to the square leg boundary in the 44th over reducing the requirment to 5 runs to win. Sandhurst then inched their way to the target with a couple of singles and a two delicately guided over point by Mr Freeze to tie the scores. Then from the 4th ball of the 48th over it was Courtney Cornell who cut the ball through point for the winning runs.
The win progresses Sandhurst through to a grand final against Golden Square at Strauch Reserve next weekend.
Sandhurst's continued improvement in the junior ranks was again evident with the Under 11's and Under 13s both qualifying for finals. Unfortunately despite valliant attempts, both sides were unsuccessful in their respective semi finals, but with the majority of players still eligible for the same age division next season in both grades, Sandhurst can expect to see the kids in and around the finals next season.
Well done to all players involved on the weekend and best of luck to the 3rd XI in their grand final this weekend.