By Bryce Edwards
Wandin U14s vs Mooroolbark
Wandin’s U14 team faced off against a formidable Mooroolbark side in the Semi-Final this past weekend, playing on their home turf. Winning the toss and electing bowl the game saw momentum swinging back and forth throughout the day. Mooroolbarks strong batting line-up got off to a good start not losing a wicket until the score was on 50. Wandin’s ever-reliable captain Tom Day stepped up to the plate being involved in 3 quick wickets for 5 runs putting Mooroolbark on the back foot taking two wickets and effecting a run out to have Mooroolbark 3 for 55. Mooroolbark wrestled back control of the game pushing the total over 100 without losing another wicket. Enter surprise packet Kai Lowrie, one of the very young pups up from the U12s to take two crucial wickets by removing both set batsmen who were on the move. It was a game-changing bowling spell that brought the game back into Wandin’s favour. At the end of Mooroolbark’s first half of the innings, the score was 5 for 103 and now it was Wandin’s turn to bat. Wandin was on the back foot early losing two crucial wickets to have the side reeling at 2 for just 1 run and another when the score was just 13. Harry steadied the ship with Jack but was run out after a mix-up leaving Wandin at a precarious 4 for 29. Enter Jye Aitken to the crease who has come so far this season with his decision-making on when to attack and defend, settled down with the reliable Jack and was able to get Wandin to the end of the first half of the innings, not losing another wicket pushing the score out to 4 for 109. The game couldn’t be more evenly poised.
Continuing the innings the following day, Jye quickly retired followed soon after by Jack. This left Wandin’s lower-order bats to try and give the team a competitive total to defend and they sure didn’t let the side down. Manny made a crucial 14 seeing off some top-line bowling to keep the runs ticking over. Enter Will Johnson, another of the young pups from the u12s, who came on and with no fear took the game on no matter who was bowling. Will finished with 15 of just 17 balls and wrestled the momentum back into Wandin’s favour. Crucial contributions from the rest of the lower order pushed Wandin’s total to 169. A total that was definitely defendable.
Mooroolbark returned to the crease with Tom, Jack and Harry leading the way with the ball focusing on accuracy to keep the lines tight and giving Wandin the best chance to take wickets. And this is how it panned out, with the boys being able to take regular wickets dismissing Mooroolbark for 122 and winning the game to move to the Grand Final next week.
Key contributions for the game were: Batting: Jye Aitken (41 not out), Jack Dowthwaite (40 not out), Harry Churchill (16), Will Johnson (15), Manny Vallence (14). Bowling: Tom Day (3 for 10), Kai Lowrie (2 for 4), Tyler Seeger (2 for 16) and Harry Churchill (2 for 17).
Well done to all the players and a well-deserved Grand Final appearance.
Wandin 2nd XI vs St Andrews
In hot oppressive conditions, Wandin’s 2nd XI faced off against St Andrews to fight for a place in the Grand Final. The day didn’t get off to a great start with St Andrews winning the toss and having no hesitation in batting first, sending Wandin out into the heat to field. The first stage of the game was an even battle between bat and ball. The top order of St Andrews all getting starts, but also losing wickets. Joel Galvin got Wandin started by removing both openers. A back-and-forth battle, all bowlers toiled away to have the game evenly poised at 5 for 121. At this point, St Andrews was able to get control of the game with key contributions from Rixham and Richards putting together a crucial partnership and taking the score to 260 before losing another wicket. St Andrews were chasing quick runs and finished with a formidable but gettable (at a fast Wandin ground) score of 293. Huge bowling effort by everyone in the heat with Mitch Kogelman finishing on 2 for 79 off 17 overs. Galvo was massive during the day bowling an incredible 24 overs finishing with 4 for 74.
Wandin struggled to get a solid partnership together, losing regular wickets throughout the day. Bryce Edwards top scoring at the top of the order with 24, and that man again Joel Galvin scoring 21 in the middle. With no other key contributions, Wandin was bowled out for 101.
Time to regroup and prepare to take on Healesville to fight it out for a spot in the Grand Final.
Wandin Women’s semi-final vs Templeton was abandoned due to RDCA heat policy but the side will progress to the Grand Final against Montrose next week due to their higher ladder position.
