THIS season’s Northern District Cricket Association A Grade second semi-finalists have been decided after reigning premiers, Wandella record a ninth win of the season on Saturday.
The Bombers’ 120-run win against Cohuna United, as well as Nondies’ six-wicket loss to Leitchville/Gunbower, secured second spot on the ladder for the Kerang-based side.
Wandella made United pay for sending the visitors into bat, with Michael Runciman (60) and Isaac Hogan (50) combining for a 98-run second-wicket stand.
The pair provided a platform for the likes of Greg Dickson (38) and Matthew Webb (27) to build on, with the Bombers finishing with 7/223 off 45 overs.
Daniel Coates and Kansas Varker took three wickets each for United, who needed to win to secure fourth spot on the ladder.
United’s top order failed to stop Brodey Farley and Webb from snaring four wickets each, with lower order resistance from Grant Cowan (25) and Logan Spittal (22) ensuring the visitors surpassed 100 runs.
Across the other side of the Cohuna Recreation Reserve, Leitchville/Gunbower recorded its 12th win of the season against Nondies – the only team to have defeated the title favourites this season.
Clayton Holmes (24) and Sam O’Shea (54 not out) were the only two top-order batsmen to make the most of batting first, with the home side falling for 124 in the 44th over.
Jack Elliott took three wickets for Leitchville/Gunbower, before the likes of Jason Keath (49), Tyler Jones (44) and Kurt Brereton (26) helped the visitors reach 9/201 off 45 overs.
Nondies will play either United or Barham/Koondrook in the first semi-final on March 5, with the final round of matches to determine fourth and fifth spots on the ladder.
Finals match-ups confirmed
THE NDCA’s B Grade teams will go into the final round of games with ladder positions locked in.
Wandella’s two-run win against Cohuna United secured the side a second semi-final spot against Nondies on March 5, with Barham/Koondrook’s 121-run win against Kerang Fairley Town giving the side a first semi-final match-up against United.
Needing to win to secure the double-chance, the Bombers struggled to handle Andrew Brown, Cooper Neil and Peter Taylor, who claimed two wickets each as the home side reached 9/122 off 40 overs.
Matt Wilkinson provided some lower order relief, scoring 59 runs.
United struggled in its reply, with Marcus Rogers (50) one of three batsmen to surpass double figures.
The visitors lost four wickets for 10 runs, dismissed for 120 runs off the final ball of the 40th over.
Tyler Schmidt was the best of the Bombers’ bowlers, claiming three wickets.
Barham/Koondrook needed to win, as well as a Wandella loss, to challenge for second spot on the ladder this weekend, and did what it had to do against Kerang Fairley Town.
Jacob Barrington (42) and Jade Stewart (40 not out) helped the border side reach 202 in the 39th over.
The score could have been larger if not for the efforts of Ryan Barnes and Mitchell Lake, who took three wickets each for Kerang Fairley Town.
Dylan Robinson took control of the match with the ball, snaring six wickets to dismiss Kerang Fairley Town for 81 in the 22nd over.
In the final match of the round, a lower order revival helped Nondies avoid a defeat against reigning premiers, Leitchville/Gunbower.
Jack Lunghusen (20) was Leitchville/Gunbower’s top scorer as Lachie Harbinson claimed four wickets to dismiss the home side for 76 in the 27th over.
Hugh McGillivray and Pieter Van der Kooij gave the home side hope for an upset win, snaring four wickets each to leave Nondies reeling at 8/59.
However, Liam Treacy (46) and Paul Donat (26) rallied to get the minor premiers home.
Grand finalists decided
BARHAM/KOONDROOK and Wandella will meet in this weekend’s under 17 grand final after claiming semi-final wins on Sunday.
Matthew Thomas (57) helped the minor premiers score 9/187 against Cohuna United on Saturday, before Jacob Barrington claimed five wickets n Sunday to dismiss United for 53.
The Bombers made the grand final by scoring 9/142 on Saturday against Nondies, with last season’s grand finalists falling for 110 in reply the next day.
In the under 14s, Leitchville/Gunbower Maroon produced an upset to defeat reigning premiers, Barham/Koondrook.
The border side made 129 on Saturday, before Blake Gelletly and Liam Keath scored 50 runs each to help their team reach 2/137 off 36 overs.
Will O’Shea (three wickets) helped Nondies secure the other grand final spot, with the Cohuna-based side restricting Leitchville/Gunbower Blie to 8/84 off 44 overs on Saturday.
Nondies lost one wicket in reply, reaching the victory target in the 27th over.
