By CHRIS ANDERSON
THE semi-finals in the Yarra Valley District Cricket Association have been run and won, with the finalists decided.
As so often has been the case in recent seasons, batsmen have succumbed to the heavy weight of nerves.
But this season, a couple of individual centuries highlighted a high-scoring opening day, putting their teams on track for victory.
In DJ Strachan Shield, Mount Evelyn travelled to Warburton-Millgrove full of confidence after beating the competition’s best team in the final round.
In sunny conditions, the home side won the toss and elected to bat.
Sensing that history was against the batting teams in finals cricket, the Burras started cautiously in an attempt to keep wickets in hand.
Despite some probing bowling, brothers Ben and David Lever managed to navigate the early exchanges to set their team up, reaching the tea break at 0/99.
After regaining their footing after the break, Ben (37) succumbed to some beautiful spin bowling from Jed Thompson.
But David strode confidently to a masterful century.
Despite some streaky strokeplay at times, his innings was littered with powerful cover drives and brutal pull-shots.
Mount Evelyn did manage to squeeze itself into the contest as captain Kane Jones and brother Brad Jones collected vital wickets, including that of Lever for 116.
A new-look Luke Darwall (43) preyed on a tiring fielding side, launching a stinging attack that added to the final score.
But Chad Witherdin kept his cool to net figures of 5/56 and bowl the home side out for 271.
Mount Evelyn made a fair fist of the fight, but was unable to build partnerships of significance.
One constant for the visitors was that of opener Chris Anderson.
The veteran battled staunchly through 68 overs to give his team some sniff of a late spirt towards victory, but he, and side, timed their run too late, as he ran himself out for 98, and his team’s innings rolled up quickly for 215.
David Lever (2/30) complemented his century with early wickets, while an expert spell from Luke Darwall (2/69) and Mick Walker (3/55) ensured the Burras booked their ticket to the big dance.
Meanwhile, Seville couldn’t contain a withering attack from Woori Yallock and found itself 380 runs behind after day one.
The Tigers have been carrying the Seville monkey on their back in recent matches, as Woori has missed some guilt-edged chances to beat the Blues this season.
The big difference this game is the Tigers had the chance to bat first.
After losing a wicket in the first over, George Reynolds joined Mick Dwyer, and the pair batted their team to an ominous position.
Dwyer has proven this season to be their most consistent and reliable batsman.
With Reynolds bringing up a much deserved half-century, Dwyer kicked on with his assault of the wilting Blues attack.
Unfortunately, Dwyer fell agonising close to a century, but his 89 had his team well and truly on the front foot.
Captain Daniel Mock joined Michael King and they shut the door well and truly.
King (81) showed his class and experience by not giving the Blues a sniff.
No one could begrudge Mock’s moment in the sun as his unbeaten 107 led his side to the monumental total of 5/380.
Mock’s opposite number, Dean Troyhan (3/113), toiled manfully, but he had no answers.
In reply, the Blues may as well have not turned up on the second day.
Fast-bowling maestros, Simon Young (6/25) and Jackson Wright (4/25), cut a swathe through a Seville line-up.
The day wrapped up quickly with the Blues bowled out for a paltry 53.
This leaves us with an intriguing grand final match-up between Wabrurton-Millgrove and Woori Yallock.
In RA Finger Trophy action, games followed a similar path to the top grade.
Seville managed to post 225 against a persistent Woori Yallock attack.
Roger Oates once again led the way with an expertly made 84, while he was well supported by his old sparring partners Scott Luckhurst (29) and Mark Johnson (29).
Stephen Morgan (3/93), Matt White (4/62) and veteran Tim Diggins (2/17) kept things in check to the Tigers.
Woori Yallock would’ve entered day two with some confidence, as they possess the skill, and experience to challenge the total.
That wasn’t to be as Seville produced an all-round performance, as Ron Sandfort (4/13) and Tom Page (2/23) led a dominant bowling display to roll the Tigers for 106.
In the grade’s other semi final, Coldstream had to battle hard against a well-rounded Healesville attack on day one.
Surprise packet, Michael Jackson, took the honours for the home side, claiming 4/7 and putting the brakes on the Crocs, while he was well-supported by the talented Dillon Kerr (2/35).
Captain Ben Walsh ensured the Crocs wouldn’t be embarrassed with a great unbeaten knock of 81 and his team’s total of 162 proved to be more than enough.
The Bloods were powerless in the face of a great bowling display from Carl Dikschei (5/17), who was well supported by Daniel Sharp (2/20), as the pair led the Crocs to a grand final appearance as they bowled out Healesville for 56.
DJ Strachan Shield
Warburton Millgrove 271 (D. Lever 116, L. Darwall 43, B. Lever 37, C. Witherdin 5/56) d Mount Evelyn 215 (C. Anderson 98, C. Witherdin 31, M. Walker 3/55, David Lever 2/30, L. Darwall 2/69), Woori Yallock 5/380 (D. Mock 107no, M. Dwyer 89, M. King 81, G. Reynolds 53, D. Troyahn 3/113) d Seville 53 (S. Young 6/25, J. Wright 4/25).
RA Finger Trophy
Seville 225 (R. Oates 84, M. Johnson 29, S. Luckhurst 29, T. Page 27, M. White 4/62, S. Morgan 3/93) d Woori Yallock 106 (S. Morgan 45no, R. Sandfort 4/13, T. Page 2/23), Coldstream 162 (B. Walsh 81no, M. Jackson 4/7, D. Kerr 2/35) d Healesville 56 (C. Dikschei 5/17 D. Sharp 2/20).
C Grade
Wandin 288 (R. Aitken 70, L. Painter 64, D. Thorne 42, J. Tacey 4/59, J. Breamer 2/25) d Healesville 160 (J. Darkin 66, J. Seymour 46, J. Oakley 4/48, A. Daly 2/21, Yarra Glen 241 (A. Cowan 54, L. Crawford 48, P. Moors 31no, N. Hodgetts 3/55, E. Blain 2/28, D. Waixel 2/9) d Gruyere 239 (J. Harding 59, A. Waixel 51, A. Blain 30, A. Cowan 4/25, A. Adamson 2/50, J. Orren 2/56)
D Grade
Powelltown 405 (S. Thompson 125, T. Kelly 73, S. Sanders 64, K. Dunne 58no, A. Beath 3/40, T. Spencer 2/64) d Yarra Glen 139 (T. Davey 54, J. Woods 33, S. Thompson 4/39, G. McRorie 4/42), Mount Evelyn 9/179 (D. Finch 100no, D. Marshall 3/16, B. Duke 1/23) d Wandin 107 (P. Laws 27, S. Doolan 22, A. Argentino 3/31, C. Argentino 2/10, C. Robertson 2/16).
One Day Grade
Silvan 8/206 (T. Martin 40, D. Benson 2/18) d Woori Yallock 159 (M. Rimmer 42, A. Lamonica 7/24), Mount Evelyn 0/94 (T. Hancock 40no, R. Hancock 45no) d Warburton-Millgrove 92 (B. Cronkshaw 3/4).
