By Keith Thompson, YVCA secretary
WITH the completion of the penultimate round in the D. J. Strachan Shield on Saturday, positions in the final four will still be up for grabs when round 12 commences on the weekend.
Seville maintained their hope of making that final four with a fighting victory over Healesville on a heavily trimmed Queens Park oval.
With Seville defending their 151 from day one, Healesville were all out for 133, with Darren Edwards on 23 and Brad Chandler coming together with the score at 9/90 and working away at the target – edging ever closer. It was, however, just out of reach with Glen Newbery on 25, Ishara Amarasinghe 4/44, Dean Troyahn 2/4 and Paul Dicello 2/40 for Seville.
Hoddles Creek gave ladder-leader Wandin a tight contest reaching 204 – just 28 runs short of a win – as Scott Simmonds with 46 not out, A. Davis 44 and Jeff Crew 36 all knuckled down in an endeavour to reach the required tally. Wandin’s Jackson Wright was 4/64 and Simon Young 3/44, protecting Wandin’s 232.
Coldstream made 4/190 with A. Evans on 69, Colin Rice 45 not out, Chris Dobson 25, Matt Stark 24 and B. Young 2/34 defeating Gruyere on 134 with A. Reker 31, Aaron Violi 30, Jack Blain 19, Scott Reece 5/33 and Matt Stark 3/35. Gruyere was asked to bat again and at stumps was 0/59 with Jack Blain 36 not out and Aaron Violi 18 not out.
In a close encounter at Yarra Junction the visitors, Silvan, got home by just six runs over Yarra Junction’s 189, with Stephen Flutter on 56, David Lever 51, D. Linton 3/18, Mark Appleby 3/37 to Silvan 195 with Clint Sharman on 44, Jamie Cornford 39, Brad Jones 4/31 David Lever 2/50, Dan Lever 3/47.
In the match of the round, Woori Yallock at home needed to chase down Warburton-Millgrove’s 255 from day one, but fell 38 short with a score of 207. Greg Selby hit 58, and Dam Egan with 6/65 was the best of the Warburton bowlers.
The R. A. Finger Trophy grade saw some high scores this round with Warburton-Millgrove 10/205 – T. Heyward 44, Brian Horner 5/43 lost to Healesville 4/387 with B. Dolan getting an undefeated century, Michael Sawyer 96, Richard Maille 60 and Mark Powell 56. C. Loughnan took half the Healesville wickets with 2/37. This win places Healesville close to top place on the ladder.
Wandin at home were all out for 163, then 6/107 in their second innings – but this was still enough to defeat Yarra Junction who could manage just 129 in their turn at the crease, with Cam Spaulding 85 and A. Young 6/55.
Yarra Glen having 235 in the scorebook from day one needed to bowl well to keep the Tigers from that score on a fast outfield. Woori Yallock batted steadily but was dismissed for 180.
Adam Dunn 59, Cal Ferguson 54, Jamie Holland and Jon Woods did the damage once again for Yarra Glen with 4/37 and 4/27 respectively, giving Yarra Glen a win that leaves them with a chance for a final four place with their round 12 match against Yarra Junction next week.
Seville, with 309 from day one, struggled to dismiss Coldstream which batted courageously for most of the day led by Bob Wheeler with an undefeated century, finishing on 102 not out; while Seville’s attack was held together with a fine seven-wicket haul from Matt Walker with 7/66. Coldstream was eventually dismissed for 218.
In round 12 of the D. J. Strachan Shield Healesville will host Warburton at Queens Park in their Team of the Century event. Warburton may well upset the party there.
Hoddles Creek host Seville who must win to have any chance of a semi-final berth and with injuries and unavailabilities for Seville along with the Hoddles Creek performance in round 11 against top side Wandin this could see a win to Hoddles Creek.
Mount Evelyn travels to Wandin in a match that the visitors need to win to ensure a final four placement. Wandin would like to win leading into the finals series and this will be a great match.
Woori Yallock need to have a good win over Gruyere to keep the hopes alive.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Ladder
D. J. Strachan Shield
Wandin 125.50
Warburton 113.10
Mount Evelyn 79.05
Silvan 78.01
Seville 76.90
Healesville 65.79
Woori Yallock 64.30
Yarra Junction 52.10
Gruyere 37.44
Hoddles Creek 24.25
Coldstream 24.19
