By Chris Anderson
With bushfires threatening communities in the Upper Yarra region, the YVCA Executive took the side of caution and decided to abandoned Saturday afternoon’s play.
The decision added extra intrigue going into the final round of the season, especially in the competition’s top grade, DJ Strachan Shield.
Mount Evelyn locked away top position on the ladder some time ago, and the competition’s leaders have been treading water waiting for the finals to arrive.
Although brilliant with the bat for most of the season, Mount Evelyn have stumbled in recent weeks, and will be looking to the final round to recapture some much needed form.
With the ball however, they have rarely missed a beat and teams have struggled to post significant totals all season. Their final round opponent will be Wandin.
Wandin have all of a sudden found themselves in a bit of a tight squeeze. After an elevation to the top grade after a month of cricket, the Bulldogs soon found their feet courtesy of some excellent batting, backed up by some steady bowling.
With points retained from their efforts in RA Finger Trophy, they looked settled in the top four at Christmas. Since Christmas, it has gone sour.
Their polish with the bat has deserted them and it has lead to sub par totals that have been chased down with ease.
They now find themselves in the middle of a log jam for finals positions. A loss next week could see them miss finals, whilst a win could secure a home final.
Seville’s fortunes have been in stark contrast to Wandin’s. The Blues remain undefeated since Christmas, and look the most likely to clinch a home final and to challenge Mt Evelyn’s reign as premiers.
Their rise to prominence has been on the back of a change in strategy with the ball which has been most fruitful.
After Mount Evelyn dismantled their bowlers in the game before Christmas, the Blues looked to take the pace off the bowling, and leave it with the batsmen to force the pace.
Their final round clash with Yarra Junction looks to be a cracker and a precursor to what we can expect come finals time.
Although camped in fourth place, Yarra Junction could easily catapult themselves into a home final and a leg up in the semi final should they win this clash comfortably.
In RA Finger Trophy action, the top four is now settled.
The field are once again chasing Woori Yallock who are striving for back to back premierships in the grade.
The Tigers are a strong outfit built around a talented top order. Hot on their heels are a host of challengers. Seville have been the front runners for most of the journey, but recent tight losses have pegged them back a little. Gruyere and Mt Evelyn round out the top four, and both teams have proven over the journey that they can match it with the best and certainly have the talent to take out the title.
DJ STRACHAN SHIELD
Healesville 10/140 (D. Senior 52, G. Poynton 20, R. Matthews 4/33, B. Nightingale 2/16, K. Bomford 2/28) drew with Yarra Junction 1/41 (M. Kosher 16*, A. Cowan 13*, J. McKenna 1/10)
Seville 1/15 drew with Wandin 10/68 (L.Chandler 17, M.Smith 3/24, L.Kay 3/29, M.Sandfort 2/23)
Mt Evelyn 10/139 (A. Giblin 40, J. Fraser 27, D. Fraser 26*, J. Nelson 3/32, C. Darwall 3/38, S. Thompson 2/43) drew with Warburton-Millgrove
Note: Round 14 Day 2 action abandoned due to bushfire danger
RA FINGER TROPHY
Seville 10/174 (M. Byrne 43, D. Gale 35, M Peck 5/55, A. Jakubowicz 3/37) drew with Healesville 1/13 (S. North 5, J. Cooper 5*. M. Hadlum 1/5)
Yarra Junction 10/155 (J. Nightingale 59, R. Turner 31, R. Prouse 4/41, J. Harding 2/20) drew with Gruyere District 4/160 (A. Waixel 74, J. Carroll 62*, R. Boxell 2/37, M. Richards 2/37)
Wandin 10/48 (K.Marshall 15, A.Dunn 3/8, M.Edwards 2/7) defeated by Woori Yallock 0/50 (L.Winter-Annette 30*, R.Smith 15*)
Mount Evelyn 10/197 (TJ.Hancock 85 T.Williams 30 C.Dikschei 4/51 D.Whelan 2/20) drew with Coldstream
Note: Round 14 Day 2 action abandoned due to bushfire danger
C GRADE
Seville vs Marysville, Launching Place vs Warburton-Millgrove, Hoddles Creek vs Wandin, Yarra Glen vs Bye
Note: Round 14B action abandoned due to bushfire danger
D GRADE
Mt Evelyn v Seville, Yarra Junction v Launching Place, Warburton-Millgrove v Gruyere, Coldstream v Powelltown, Healesville v Wandin
Note: Round 14B action abandoned due to bushfire danger
16 & UNDER
Note: Round 10 action abandoned due to extreme heat.
UNDER 14
Hoddles Creek 5/80 (O. Simpson 11, M. Milkens 1/4, D. Carvill 1/14) defeated by Yarra Junction/Launching Place 6/95(R. Foley 28, M. Milkens 27, O. Lyons 2/10, L. Payne 1/0)
Warburton-Millgrove 3/76 (R.Thompson 17*, D.Walker 16*, E.Crowley-Brown 14*, J.Handasyde 2/5) defeated by Healesville 4/87 (C.Anderson 26*, J. Drummond 19, J.Johnson 15*, E.Crowley-Brown 1/2)
Coldstream/Mt Evelyn 3/75 defeated Seville 6/56
UNDER 12 – QUALIFYING FINALS
Healesville Red 1/110 (T. Handasyde 21*, A. Biddiscome 15*, J. Dossor 15*, J. Hamilton 1/20) defeated Yarra Glen Red 6/99 ao (L. Pearse 24, C Ewan 22, J Hamilton 12, L. Frazzetto 3/7, J. Dossor 1/6, D English 1/19)
Hoddles Creek 8/114(M. Poulton 24*, G. Lyons 20, JC. Barry 2/18, L. Van Dreumel 2/18 tied with Seville 2/114 (JP Barry 35*, R. Tanner 14*, F. McLachlan 1/3, G. Lyons 1/5)
Warburton-Millgrove 4/161 (M. O’Neill 43*, L Parker 1/7, E. Amore 1/9) defeated Launching Place 4/143 (E. Bradley 48*, M. O’Neill 3/14)
UNDER 10
Note: Round 12 action abandoned due to extreme heat
