Mt Evelyn in second final

By Keith Thompson
REIGNING premiers, Mt Evelyn, will play Warburton-Millgrove in this season’s final in the DJ Strachan Shield on Saturday.
The champions dismissed Seville for 165. Scott Page (67) and Andrew Kay (22) were the best with the bat while Jon Dalton with 4/35 and Kane Jones 3/31 ripped through the upper Seville order.
In reply, Mt Evelyn reached 6/166 with Andrew Giblin leading the way with 72 assisted by Paul Miutescu (46) while Travis Selby bowled well to take 4/34 and Dean Troyahn 2/59.
A shudder went through the Mt Evelyn batting with some 35 runs to go as they were still only two wickets down but they then lost 4 for 15 before passing the Seville score.
Warburton-Millgrove who had a similar win, dismissing Yarra Junction for 161, Dan Lever (47), Ben Lever (25), while Cam and Luke Darwall bowled well to take 3/49 and 4/36 respectively.
In reply, Warburton reached the total with the loss of four wickets for 163 with Adam Humphrey (57), Liam Barnard (31) and Luke Darwall 36 not out. The best of the Yarra Junction bowlers was Stephen Flutter with 2/14.
At the time of going to press, the venues for the final had not been determined but Woori Yallock appears to be a reasonable probability.
In the RA Finger Trophy, Yarra Glen chasing Hoddles Creek’s 8/355cc, with Brenton Derix 122, could not reach that score and were dismissed for 180 – Nick Tucker (61), and Brenton Derix completed a man of the match performance by taking 6/46.
Hoddles Creek now progress to the final and will meet archrival Gruyere Districts who reached 241 with Matt Tilney 77, Luke Sarre 57 Brenton Styles 5/40.
Gruyere defeated Kinglake 91 (Matt Howard 18) to complete a double; Matt Tillney 5/25 and A Vander Vlugt 2/11 were the best bowlers.
In the DJ Strachan Shield Reserve, Mt Evelyn will play Healesville in the final. Both had good wins over Warburton and Seville respectively.
Finals contenders:
DJ Strachan Shield: Warburton-Millgrove v Mt Evelyn.
DJ Strachan Shield Reserve: Mt Evelyn v Healesville
DJ Strachan Shield 3: Yarra Panthers v Seville
DJ Strachan Shield 4: Warburton-Millgrove v Seville
RA Finger Trophy: Gruyere District v Hoddles Creek
RA Finger Trophy 2: Powelltown v Gruyere District
RA Finger Trophy 3: Marysville v Kinglake
Details of finals venues were unavailable at time of going to press.