By Chris Anderson
WITH the final four settled after last week’s wash out, Round 12 became a battle between the top sides putting final touches to their finals preparation and the bottom sides looking to go out on a winning note after frustrating seasons.
Healesville v Coldstream
HEALESVILLE put in a bold showing but, as has been the case throughout the season, a bold showing wasn’t good enough.
The Bloods battled gamely to put a defendable 142 on the scoreboard (Steven James 35, Paul Hilder 23) but would have been disappointed with the innings as their batsmen had chances to post decent scores.
Young spinner Scott Reece (3/42) and the hard working Nathan Cuthbertson (2/30) led the Crocs’ bowling.
Excellent bowling from Healesville opening pair Brad Chandler (3/27) and Nathan Fall (3/26) made the chase difficult for the Crocs, but the Bloods were unable to maintain pressure.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Yarra Junction v
Warburton-Millgrove
THE Burras opened the game with the bat and would be disappointed that none of their batsmen made significant scores. Still, the side posted a highly competitive 8/167.
Spinner Dan Lever was the pick of the bowlers with 3/24 and was supported well by Terry Ottrey (2/23).
In their chase the Eagles gave themselves every chance of winning and looked the goods while David Lever (60) and Cam Spaulding (46) were at the wicket.
But as has been the story for the home side all season, they were being too reliant on the Lever cousins and once David departed, experienced Warby bowlers Mick Walker (3/28) and Adam Humphrey (2/26) turned the screws to take out a nail-biting three-run win.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Seville v Silvan
SEVILLE batted first and put the struggling Slugs on the back foot from the first ball.
Brilliant top-order knocks from Tim Dwyer (90) and Leigh Atkins (81n.o.) laid the foundations for a formidable score of 4/198. Silvan captain Shane Walliker (2/31) again led from the front with the ball.
Seville’s formidable attack made short work of the visitors in their chase. The side rolled the Slugs for 79.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Woori Yallock v Hoddles Creek
THE two sides will enter the winter break thinking of what could have been.
The Tigers opened up the batting and put up a formidable 7/226, with their young captain Ryan Smith (70) continuing his consistent season with support from top-order partner Cal Ferguson (65).
Young Wombats tearaway Nick Bark (4/52) was in the wickets again, supported by the ever-consistent Brenton Derix (3/62).
With not a lot to play for other than pride, the Wombats were unable to muster any enthusiasm for the chase and were bundled out for 92.
Woori recruit Simon Young completed an excellent season with 3/19 and was well-supported by his partner in crime, speedster Jackson Wright (3/40).
SO the months of hard work have come down to two weeks of frenetic action.
The senior and junior teams are now preparing for a tilt at premiership glory.
In the DJ Strachan Shield, Warburton-Millgrove host Seville in a classic match up between the grand finalists from the past two seasons. Both sides have reasonable claims on favouritism in this clash as they have clearly been the best-performing sides over the past three seasons. This game looks like coming down to which batting line up can muster enough discipline and skill to score against two bowling line ups laden with wicket-taking talent.
In the other semi-final, 2011/12 success story Coldstream host finals regulars Mount Evelyn. Both sides have brilliant match winners, none more so than their captains Danny Adams (Coldstream) and Kane Jones (Mount Evelyn). Both sides have blistering, although fragile, batting line ups so it will come down to which batting line up can find the most consistency and discipline.
