WANDELLA is in the box seat to play Leitchville/Gunbower in next month’s Northern District Cricket Association A Grade second semi-final after the Bombers defeated Nondies at the weekend.
Needing a win to reclaim second spot on the ladder, the reigning premiers produced a 34-run win against last season’s grand finalists in a key match for both sides.
Sent in to bat, Isaac Hogan (75) and Greg Dickson (57) combined for a 137-run third-wicket stand – ended by Clayton Holmes, who snared three wickets – to ensure Wandella surpassed 200 runs off 45 overs.
Despite strong innings from Sam O’Shea (43), Josh Novoselek (35) and Liam Pascoe (33), the Bombers dismissed Nondies for 167 in the 41st over.
Wandella has an easier run to the finals, with matches against Cohuna United and Barham/Koondrook in the coming two weeks, with Nondies to play Leitchville/Gunbower and Cohuna United.
In the weekend’s other match, Barham/Koondrook failed to jump back into the top four, going down to Leitchville/Gunbower by 112 runs.
Jason Keath (73) and Brad Windridge (54) both scored half-centuries to help Leitchville/Gunbower reach 5/210 off its 45 overs, before Adam Decicco (four wickets) helped dismiss the border side for 98.
Barham/Koondrook, who has the bye this weekend, needs to defeat Wandella on February 27 and hope Cohuna United does not win a match in the next two rounds to make the finals.
Ladder leaders stunned
WANDELLA’S B Grade side emulated the feat of their A Grade teammates, defeating Nondies in a match that puts the side in the box seat for the double chance.
In a low-scoring affair, Luke Murray (50) was the best of Wandella’s batsmen as the finals-bound team scored 132 off its 40 overs.
Brandon Keely and Wade Mathers took two wickets each to give the minor premiers a chance to record a 13th win of the season.
Nick Whitfield (four wickets) and Matt Page (three wickets) had other ideas, with the pair helping to dismiss Nondies for 81 in the 29th over.
The win leaves the Bombers more than one win clear of third-placed Barham/Koondrook, who were too strong for Leitchville/Gunbower.
Batting first, Dean McGowan (102 not out) and Wes O’Neill (61) helped the border side reach 4/217 off 40 overs.
Jack Elliott (81) gave the reigning premiers hope of an uoset win, but the side fell 34 runs short of victory.
Dempsey Coote and Dean Gogoll took three wickets each for Bahram/Koondrook, who face Kerang Fairley Town and Wandella in the final two weeks of the season.
Cohuna United’s goal to claim third spot from Barham/Koondrook received a boost at the weekend, with the side recording a seven-wicket win against Kerang Fairley Town.
Daniel Higgs (34) top-scored for Kerang Fairley Town, who fell for 91 in the 30th over. Jordan White took four wicket for United, which went on to score 169 off its 40 overs.
Peter Taylor (61) and Cooper Neil (47) were the only two United batsmen to surpass double figures, with Mark Higgs taking three wickets for the visitors.
* UMPIRES for Saturday, February 20
A Grade – Cohuna United v Wandella: Neil Bradley; Nondies v Leitchville/Gunbower: Andy Farley.
B Grade – Kerang Fairley Town v Barham/Koondrook: Colin Davies; Wandella v Cohuna United: Greg Miles, Leitchville/Gunbower v Nondies: Tim Varker.
