A narrow escape for Seville’s Andrew DiPietro as the ball goes through to Hoddles Creek keeper Dave O’Donnell. DiPietro went on to take 3/7 in the closely fought match. 74562 Pictures: Kath GannawayHoddles Creek fast bowler Dave Chesney bowls in the RA Finger Trophy match against Seville at Yellingbo. Batsman Roger Oats who notched up 54 runs, and Hoddles’ Liam Rowe wait for the fall-out in the match which saw reigning premiers Seville defeat Hoddles Creek 5/158.Seville’s Andrew DiPietro makes the running ahead of Hoddles Creek bowler Steve Leman. Seville and Hoddles Creek played off at Sheepstation Reserve cricket ground against the magnificent bush backdrop where according to some players the double jeopardy for the opposition from a sixer was runs on the board… and the the tiger snakes in the bush.
By Chris Anderson
IT’S GENERALLY said that the cream rises to the top in the big games and that was certainly the case in Round 5 of the Yarra Valley Cricket Association’s top grade DJ Strachan Shield as the some of the big teams and their class acts flexed their muscles.
It was a captain’s day in the clash between Mount Evelyn and Coldstream.
After winning the toss, Mount Evelyn quickly lost their first wicket which brought their captain, and dual Drummond medallist Kane Jones to the crease.
In quite an extraordinary innings, he flayed a hapless Coldstream attack to all points of the Mount Evelyn Reserve as he had posted his century before drinks.
His innings was finally closed on 138 off 72 balls in the 26th over with Mount Evelyn on 4/191.
The Coldstream bowlers got some vengeance with some late wickets, but the home side had posted a formidable 9/249.
Coldstream struggled to gain enough momentum to challenge the score and were bowled out in the final over of the innings for 133.
Jones was again the star getting three early wickets, then closed out the innings as he capped off a memorable day with 5/28.
Warburton-Millgrove also showed their class in their clash against Silvan.
The Burra’s innings of 4/239 was built around Scott Darwall’s magnificent innings of 123 not out as he batted right through the innings.
He was ably supported by Troy Murphy who is in a rich vein of form as he posted a valuable 64.
With the two day games on the horizon, the Burras will be pleased with their batsmen as they look set to post some big scores in the longer form of the game.
Silvan made a solid start in their chase as both openers, Luke Painter and Clint Sharman closed in on half centuries, however with the openers departure, the Slugs chances went with them as they struggled to chase down the formidable target and were bowled out for 183.
Reigning premiers Seville are starting to build momentum as they defeated top of the table Hoddles Creek in a close fought match.
Seville’s innings of 5/158 was built around a blistering innings from Tim Dwyer who would be bitterly disappointed not to post three figures falling two runs short of the magical figure.
The Wombats steady bowling led by Jeff Crew (2/23) gave them a target to chase.
Seville has built it’s reputation around a strong bowling line up and despite not running through the Wombats batting line-up as they have done so often in recent years, they were frugal enough to limit Hoddles Creek to a score of 5/138.
Once again captain Jeremy Derix led from the front with a score of 37, whilst Ishi Amarasinghe was at his best with 2/17 for the victors.
In the final Strachan Shield game, Woori Yallock kept it’s hopes of seeing finals action alive with a close fought win against neighbours Yarra Junction at Yarra Junction.
Yarra Junction posted a modest score of 8/131 as Simon Young (2/12) and Ben Hayes (2/28) kept their innings under wraps.
The home side gave themselves of winning getting vital wickets and strangling the Woori Yallock batting lineup, however the Tigers young guns in Ryan Smith (45) and Simon Young (38) made sure the visitors did enough to secure the points.
With one round remaining before Christmas there a few teams who will be desperate to stay in touch with the top four.
Yarra Junction host a hot Mount Evelyn in a must win game for the home side, Woori Yallock host Healesville in a game that could see the victors with reach of the top 4, Hoddles Creek host Silvan where the home side will be desperate to get back on the winner’s list, the final Round 6 clash is the match of the round as Coldstream look to regroup after their loss to Mount Evelyn as they travel to Warburton against the formidable Burras outfit.
