Shield after 30 years

By Keith Thompson,
THE last day’s play in the YVCA Senior finals was completed in glorious cricket weather on Saturday.
At the commencement of play, the Strachan Shield Final at Coldstream was wide open. Mt Evelyn needed a strong batting performance in its second innings, a timely declaration and a spirited series of bowling spells to walk away with the shield.
The batting certainly went that way with the side’s innings being led by Kane Jones who piled up a swashbuckling century before being dismissed. Mt Evelyn then declared at 8 for 237 leaving a 160-run chase for Wandin to win outright.
A steady start was made by Wandin before Rowe was brilliantly caught at mid wicket, giving great hope to he Mounters who could only manage another wicket before stumps were called half an hour ahead of time as Wandin opener Jason Kennedy batted for 150 minutes to ensure his team walk away with the DJ Strachan Shield, the club’s first since the 1979-80 season.
In the R A Finger Trophy, Woori Yallock continued its 2nd innings at Seville and their plan was to bat and ensure that Healesville had a big target that would prove impossible to get. After almost three hours of play, stumps was called early with Woori Yallock safely securing the RA Finger Trophy Premiership.
The C Grade match was destined to have a result right from day one and this proved to be a very exciting and tightly contested game of cricket- a true final as one would say. Powelltown 134 (Chris Neale 37, Peter Dunne 34, G Sweeten 4/52, R. Prouse 4/36) and Powelltown 2nd innings 239 (Chris Neale 101, Peter Dunne 44, G. Sweeten 4/100, R. Prouse 4/51) defeated Gruyere 127 (Jack Blain 32no, Adrian Vassalo 24, Chris Neale 4/44 Gary McRorie 3/19 and Gruyere 146 (Adrian Vassalo 34, R. Prouse18, Rob White 4/60). Powelltown won the premiership.
Seville 1st 200 (Graeme Johnson 63, Graham Large 60, J. Hanarahan 3/36, A. Young 3/65, Paul Long 3/29), Wandin 1st innings 59 (Scott Buckle 6/33 Rod Bishop 4/19) and Seville 2nd innings 97 (Troy Broadway 32, Graeme Johnson 25, A. Young 6/35). Wandin needed 239 to win by reverse outright and reached 8/239 at stumps (J. Young 57, A. Young 49* Rod Bishop 3/67, Craig Rackham 3/86) to win the premiership.
In the One Day Grade, Warburton/Millgrove made 6/99 declared (C. Morgan 60) to defeat Hoddles Creek who were all out for 98. (C. Loughnan 5/20).