Warburton in box seat

By Keith Thompson,
SEVILLE fast bowler Ishara Amerasinghe got the initial breakthrough in the D. J. Strachan Shield final at Queens Park in Healesville on Saturday.
Warburton Millgrove won the toss and elected to bat and after a start that required some solid defence from the openers, Amerasinghe had Warburton captain Liam Barnard caught in the gully.
A few quick wickets followed, putting Seville on top at that stage. But a great sixth-wicket partnership between Michael Walker and Luke Darwall brought Warburton back into contention.
Walker was eventually dismissed for a fighting 50 while Darwall fell just short of a century on 94, and a tail that wagged brought the score to 201 all out.
For Seville Amerasinghe with 4/46 from 28 overs led the attack and Dean Troyan took 4/68.
Seville will need to produce one of its best innings of the season to get the score as the Warburton side has a handy bowling attack.
Warburton Millgrove 201 (Luke Darwall 94, Mick Walker 50, I. Amerasinghe 4/46, Dean Troyan 4/68) v Seville.
The R. A. Finger Trophy final at Coldstream saw Seville captain Scott Luckhurst win the toss and bat but his batsmen, after getting starts at times, failed to go on and make large scores.
Seville was all out for 168 at the close of play with Phil Smith’s 58 not out the only major score. Garth Woodford made 25 and Scott Rack-ham compiled 23 in two hours as the opener.
For Healesville Allan Pearce bowled steadily as usual taking 3/33, C. Burridge took 3/62 and Michael Sawyer 2/17.
Seville will need early wickets on day two as Healesville will try to get a steady start and build the score.
The large and well-grassed Coldstream ground means that this match still has a long way to play.
The One Day Grade final will be played next Saturday at Launching Place between Healesville and Powelltown.