By Keith Thompson
Below left: Mount Evelyn’s Kane Jones destroys Shane Senior’s stumps in his side’s DJ Strachan Shield semi-final against Seville. 61900.
THE YVCA semi-finals were played on the weekend in the most delightful weather conditions of the season.
In the DJ Strachan Shield, Seville won the toss on Saturday and batted first against Mount Evelyn. It was in immediate trouble – losing a wicket on the very first ball of the game.
Two more wickets fell in quick succession but a steady rebuilding partnership between Tim Dwyer and Shane Senior went some way to restoring the innings.
But both batsmen lost their wickets just prior to the tea interval and Mount Evelyn took control of the game once more.
The see-sawing action continued throughout the session, with Seville reaching a competitive 9/249. Tim Dwyer made 71 with Matt Walker on 52 not out. Mount Evelyn’ Chris Anderson took 3/59.
Mount Evelyn was immediately in trouble in reply, losing two wickets in the first three overs of Sunday’s day two action.
Matt Tilney led the Seville attack from the northern end of the Seville Cricket Ground, while Ishy Amarasinghe tied down the southern end. Their opening partnership provided a relentless series of hostile deliveries, attacking the Mount Evelyn batsmen for 90 minutes before finally breaking the back of their line up. Mount Evelyn was dismissed for 87.
Kane Jones, with 19, stood firm in the face of the barrage from Tilney, who took 5/37, and Amarasinghe, 3/22. Andrew Kay also chipped in with 2/15.
The second semi-final between Silvan and Warburton-Millgrove at Silvan proved to be a slow-going affair.
Silvan batted first and was dismissed for 138.
In reply, Warburton-Millgrove was 1/68 at stumps on day one and reached its target the next day with the loss of just five wickets – finishing on 5/139. Andrew Hoare led the way with the bat, scoring a fine 70.
Seville will play Warburton-Millgrove in the final.
In the RA Finger Trophy, Seville battled Kinglake at Woori Yallock.
Kinglake made first use of the wicket, but with the variety of the Seville attack, it was unable to make a competitive score and was dismissed for just 96.
Jamie Morgan made 32, while Roger Oates was the best with the ball for Seville, taking 4/13.
In reply, Seville was 2/49 at stumps on day one and looked certain to take a first innings lead.
It reached 3/108 with Alex Bell on 46 not out before Kinglake conceded defeat.
In the other semi-final, Woori Yallock batted first against Healesville and managed a meagre 89 all out. Tom Van Veen top scored with 18. James Shambrook was Healesville’s top destroyer with 4/27.
Healesville lost just three wickets en-route to surpassing Woori Yallock with 92. Richard Maile top scored with 37 not out.
Woori Yallock also conceded defeat. Seville will now play Healesville in the final.
In One Day grade; Kinglake, Hoddles Creek and Coldstream won qualifying finals. Healesville was the highest scoring loser and will play Kinglake this Saturday in the semi finals, while Hoddles Creek will match up against Coldstream.
Yarra Glen will play Hoddles Creek in the C-grade final, while Yarra Junction will match up against Seville in D-grade.
The One Day grade semi-finals will be between Kinglake and Healesville, and Hoddles Creek and Coldstream.
The YVCA will finalise venues on Tuesday. The fixtures will be available on the YVCA website by Wednesday at www.yarravalley.cricketvictoria.com.au.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Results
DJ Strachan Shield: Seville 9/249 (T. Dwyer 71, M. Walker 52*, M. Tilney 28, P. Dicello 26*, C. Anderson 3/59) d Mount Evelyn 87 (K. Jones 19, M. Tilney 5/37, I. Amarasinghe 3/22). Warburton-Millgrove 5/139 (A. Hoare 70) d Silvan 138.
RA Finger Trophy: Seville 3/108 (A. Bell 46*) d Kinglake 96 (J. Morgan 32, R. Oates 4/13). Healesville 3/92 (R. Maile 37*) d Woori Yallock 89 (T. Van Veen 18, J. Shambrook 4/27).
One Day Grade: Hoddles Creek 7/146 (H. Jeganathan 51, M. Merrin 4/23) d Powelltown 48 (H. Derix 4/6, M. Smith 4/8).
Coldstream 6/182 (M. Kollosche 51, G. Robertsson 34, P. Walsh 33, J. Pegg 20, J. Sedgeman 17*, J. McCann 3/39) d Healesville 82 (J. McCann 24, E. Scanlon 15, M. Kollosche 7/25, S. Pegg 1/4, J. Sedgeman 1/22). Kinglake 7/125 (R. Wright 33*, D. Brown 18, B. Walker 18, S. Roy 3/32, B. Ford 3/22) v Yarra Junction Green 122 (J. Long 26, J. Benett 21, R. Anderson 3/32, J. Mc Kenry 2/18, B. Walker 2/23, D. Brown 2/28).
