LIAM DURKIN
CRICKET
LVDCL PREMIER A
By LIAM DURKIN
WHAT. A. WEEKEND.
The semi-finals of the Premier A division of the Latrobe Valley District Cricket League returned two stunning results, with Morwell and Raiders winning through to meet each other for the right to be crowned season 2022/23 premier.
Both sides took vastly different routes to qualify for the Grand Final – one underdog prevailed, and the other, the supposed top dog, had to show just how much fight it had.
THREE deep breaths.
Just let this sink in: Reverse outright to make the granny.
That is what Morwell achieved on Sunday.
The Tigers left Keegan Street on Saturday night seemingly dead and buried, sitting 6/42 chasing 138 against Moe.
There was nothing seeming about their predicament a few hours into Sunday when they were bowled out for 103.
Having won the game, the Lions then had one simple task: Survive the remaining 60 overs in the day.
Easier said than done.
Morwell, now with their fate starring them right in the face, rose to the occasion.
The Tigers weren’t done with just yet. No way.
The home side came out a different team in Moe’s second innings, and routed them for just 49.
Half the job was done. Morwell now needed to score 84 runs in 36 overs.
How quickly you can get the percentages back in your favour.
Sure enough, the Tigers won with ample time, winning by seven wickets in a truly dramatic match, sure to live on long in the memory of players and supporters from either side.
For Morwell, they resurrected themselves from a position of despair into one of hope.
Heartbreak for Moe, who saw certain victory slip through their fingers.
That actually isn’t entirely true, they did win the game, just not in the manner required to progress.
Had this been a regular season game, the Lions would have taken six points and Morwell four.
Finals cricket doesn’t care too much for points.
The Lions found good contributions batting first from Riley Baldi, who made 50, and skipper Noah Kane who scored 35.
Morwell shared its wickets around. Young gun Connor Seymour nabbed three, Greg Harvey two and Blake Mills two.
Some kamikaze shots from the Tigers in reply saw them bundled out for 103 in their first dig.
Captain Jordan Campbell did his best to provide a calming influence, making 25, while Mills scored 33.
Callum Grant led the way with the ball for Moe, taking 5/31, working in tandem with Clinton Taylor (2/14) and Aaron Johnstone (2/5).
Come the second innings for Moe, and… oh dear.
The Lions were 2/0 in the first over, and just kept losing wickets, seven of which were bowled or lbw.
Harvey claimed five, while Brincant struck three times and Ross Whelpdale twice.
Mills made himself the hero, smashing a six to bring up the win, walking off the ground with an unbeaten 31 off 34 balls to his name.
And people say cricket is boring.
IN other news, Raiders also made the Grand Final.
The other team carrying something of a Tiger name found the right mix against Churchill.
Playing at Ted Summerton Reserve – the venue for the Premier A final, Raiders was asked to have a hit.
With key Churchill player John Keighran only able to play in a limited capacity on Day 1, the Cobras determined their best chance of winning was to have the man known as ‘JK’ available to bat on Day 2.
Raiders must have been licking their lips at the thought of no-JK.
Take whatever lucky breaks you can get.
With Steve Warr captaining the Cobras, they started encouragingly enough, reducing Raiders to 3/47.
George Chesire stabilised things with 30 off 127 balls (love that), as did Liam Maynard with 42 off 113.
Warr was his usual miserly self, and took 4/32 off 20.3 overs. Chris Williams (Wilo) also gave little away, taking 3/35 off 26.
Raiders posted 162, and only required three bowlers to defend that total.
Nineteen-year-old Harry McColl started things off, taking three of the first four wickets to fall.
By that stage, Churchill was 4/23, and things only got worse.
Keighran did his best with 29, but he was the last man out, by which time the score was only 72, meaning a comprehensive victory for Raiders.
McColl ended with 3/13, Madura Perera 3/35 and George Chesire 2/17.
McColl must be thinking how easy is sport. He’s about to play in an A Grade cricket Grand Final six months after playing in a senior football Grand Final for Yinnar.
Don’t take it for granted young man.
In making the Grand Final, Raiders has bucked the trend with what is usually accepted as correct list management to put you into the window of contention.
Ordinarily, you wouldn’t have a team of half-kids, half-veterans as they do, but, it seems to be working for them.
