WANDELLA has made the final of the Swan Hill District Cricket Association Kookaburra Cup (KC) competition even after a nine-wicket loss to Nyah District on the weekend.
The Bombers have Ultima TUF to thank, with the Roos having done them a massive favour in upsetting Woorinen, which left the Bombers sitting pretty in second after the final round of KC action on Saturday.
Missing captain and star batsman Gregory Dickson, the Bombers were no match for a red-hot Demons outfit.
Batting first, the Bombers posted a paltry total of 109, with Patrick Oliver (21) and Rohan Oliver (27) providing the only semblance of stiff resistance.
Every time it looked like the Bombers were ready to launch, a bunch of wickets followed, with their final four wickets being lost for two runs.
If they are to challenge St Mary’s-Tyntynder in the final, collapses like these will need to be banished from their game, and a big help for that will be the inclusion of Dickson, who has hit 225 runs at an average of 75 this season.
The Demons chased down the total with ease.
Bohden McKnight picked up the only wicket when he bowled Charlie Boulton for 14.
That was the only moment of joy for the Bombers as the Demons won by nine wickets with 21 overs to spare.
Thankfully for the Bombers, Woorinen didn’t capitalise on this defeat, with the Tigers losing in a major upset to the Roos.
It means the Bombers head into the final on Australia Day with a 2-1 record in the KC.
If they are to cause one of the great upsets, they’ll need to improve heavily over the next couple of weeks before the big dance.
Nonetheless, it is a fantastic achievement for a club that only entered the SHDCA last season.
