LIAM DURKIN
CRICKET
TDCA
By LIAM DURKIN
LAST round anxiety beset a few clubs in the Traralgon and District Cricket Association, with their fates not sealed until results were finalised last Saturday.
Gormandale and Yarram & District were forced to play virtual elimination finals in their respective matches to determine who took the last available place in the finals, while Toongabbie very nearly paid the price for dropping its match to bottom side Rovers.
In the wash-up, just three points separated third-placed Toongabbie from fifth-placed Gormandale.
The Pelicans took the last place in the finals by one point from the Tigers, sealing a maiden finals berth in just their second season as an established club.
GORMANDALE’S hopes of playing finals ended in dramatic fashion against Ex Students.
The Tigers batted first at Stoddart Oval, but were blasted out for just 55.
A dramatic collapse saw Gormandale lose 8/25, in a display that was somewhat indicative of its entire season where batting proved to operate at either end of spectrum.
In 10 matches this season the Tigers scored less than 120 five times, and more than 150 the other five times.
Michael Warne did his bowling average no harm, taking 3/0 from four overs, while Mitch Harris (2/6) and Jimmy Pryde (2/15) also chipped in.
Conditions were clearly treacherous at the Tigers’ home ground, as the Sharks ran into similar problems.
With Adam Brady hitting impeccable areas and making the ball talk, Ex Students sank to 3/9 and then 7/37, leaving the door ajar for Gormandale to steal a famous victory.
Harris however held his nerve, and guided his team across the line with an unbeaten 32 batting at number four.
Brady couldn’t do much more, and ended with figures of 6/16 from 8.1 overs.
ROVERS ended its season on a high, defeating finals bound Toongabbie.
The Rams decided to send Rovers in at Roger Reis Oval, and dismissed them for 92. Rovers stated steadily enough, with Ewan Williams and Tyler Pearce putting on 29 for the first wicket, before Matt Barry ran riot, coming into the attack and taking 5/24 from 10 overs.
Darion Duncan did his best to help Rovers, scoring a gritty 28. With rain imminent, Toongabbie had to try and force a result in 25 overs.
The Rams got to 7/60 before play was stopped, meaning Rovers took the points via
Duckworth-Lewis.
Simon Duff and Williams took three wickets each for Rovers.
GLENGARRY split the points with Yarram & District.
The Magpies were sent in on their home deck, and responded by posting 5/258.
Every bat in the Glengarry top order made a significant contribution, with openers Alistair
Jenkin and Frank Marks laying the foundation with scores of 60 and 30.
Sam Marks top scored on 62 and Hamish Busk and Nat Freitag made 46 and 42.
Daniel O’Keefe took 2/50 for the Pelicans.
Yarram went hell-for-leather chasing the total, and had 81 on the board within 15 overs before play was stopped.
Jack Moore played a busy hand of 42 from 40 balls.
IMPERIALS had the bye.
