GRAND GAME TO COME

10 March 2010

JOHN DONEGAN

AFTER an exciting weekend of semi final cricket, it was Pigeon Ponds and Casterton who survived to contest next weekend’s final at Island Park 1.

At Edenhope, Pigeon Ponds batted out their 95 overs on Saturday afternoon to set the home team a competitive target of 9-197cc.

While six Edenhope batsmen got a start on Sunday, they could not stay around long enough to build up a big score. Edenhope was all out for 145 in the 79th over.

In the game at Wando Vale, Casterton was all out for 222 from 72 overs. In a disastrous 23 overs on Saturday afternoon, the Vale lost 7-60 and effectively a grand final appearance.

Despite an improved Vale performance on Sunday, it was Casterton to advance with a first innings victory by 121 runs.

For the third year in succession, the final of the Casterton and District Cricket Association will be contested by teams that finished in third and fourth positions on the points table at the end of the home and away series.

Hours of play next weekend are- first session 12 – 2.45pm, afternoon tea 2.45pm – 3.15pm, second session 3.15pm – 6.00pm. Umpires are Caius Fitzgerald and Des Wombwell.

Pigeon Ponds triumph

At Edenhope, Pigeon Ponds won the toss and decided to bat. Opening bowler, Chris Carter, was at his belligerent best as openers John Austin and Joel Staude attempted to get the Ponds away to a good start.

He was well supported by the accurate Chris Hateley. A short pitched ball from Carter saw Joel Staude (2) attempting to duck under it, only to watch it strike him on the back and cannon into his stumps.

David Grant (10) and John Austin took the score to 42 before Carter scattered Grant’s stumps. Austin (31) was next to go when “caught short” as Aaron Lloyd threw down the stumps at the bowler’s end.

Will Staude and Michael Close then came together in a rescue mission as Toby Sloan continued with his excellent spell of slow bowling from the northern end.

At 5-113, the Pigeon Ponds innings was teetering on the brink. Craig Grant and Robert Close then added 38 runs for the seventh wicket before Toby Sloan enticed Close (1) to play on with the last ball of his thirty second and final over.

Sam Roberts (0) didn’t last long before being caught in the gully by Alan McIntyre to give Chris Hateley his first wicket. Craig Grant (42) was another wicket for Hateley as he attempted to increase the scoring rate. Michael Craig (18) showed some aggression but was caught and bowled by a diving Chris Carter. It was now the 91st over and Pigeon Ponds was 9-190.

Throughout the afternoon, Edenhope maintained an excellent over rate of 19 overs per hour.

The Edenhope openers, Aaron Lloyd and Alan McIntyre, began their run chase at noon on Sunday. Alan McIntyre (6) was first to go in the third over, well caught by Michael Craig at mid-off from the bowling of Will Staude.

As the rain approached, Brad West and Matt Ough defended with grim determination until the 79th over. West (9) played all over a well pitched up slower ball from Sam Roberts and was trapped in front. Edenhope was all out for 145.

Best with the ball for the Ponds were Sam Roberts 3-49 from 29 overs, Murray Staude 2-12 from 11 overs, Will Staude 2-17 from 14 overs and Joel Staude 2-34.

Ricky Killey stars

At Wando Vale, Casterton won the toss and opted to bat first.

Openers Matt Murphy and Ricky Killey began their innings, with Troy O’Connell and Jake Tomkins opening the bowling for the Vale.

The opening partnership was terminated with the third ball of the opening over after Matt Murphy was struck a glancing blow to the side of the face from a Troy O’Connell bouncer.

The ball then went to the boundary for four leg byes. Matt was forced to retire hurt.

Adrian Meyer joined Killey and their partnership terminated at 45 when Meyer (18) was caught Balzan bowled Jack Gartlan. Kane Forbes (20) was next to go when bowled by Liam Geary. Jake Tomkins then grabbed two quick wickets for the Vale.

Glen Widdicombe (4) was trapped in front and Peter Larkins (0) was bowled. Soon after tea Matt Koutroubos (5) became Jake Tompkins’ third wicket after hitting a return catch to the bowler. The injured Matt Murphy, now wearing a helmet, then resumed his innings with Rick Killey, his original opening partner.

After adding 48 runs for the sixth wicket, Rick Killey’s magnificent innings came to an end when he was bowled by Gary Carlin for (83). Chris Hutchins (4), Shaun Taylor (0) and Matt Killey (0) didn’t last long as Casterton slumped to 9-187.

Jarrad Smith (3) then stayed with Matt Murphy while 35 runs were added for the final wicket. After 72 overs at the batting crease, Casterton was all out for 222 at 5.05pm.

Best of the bowlers for the Vale were Jake Tomkins 4-44 from 20 overs, Jack Gartlan 3-32 from 13 overs and Gary Carlin 2-38 from 10 overs.

The Casterton opening bowlers were Matt Killey and Peter Larkins. Unfortunately for Wando Vale, the Casterton bowlers seized the day.

The weather at Wando Vale on Sunday was fine and it was obvious that the forecast rain was not going to save the Vale.

It took the Casterton bowlers another 21 overs to dislodge the last three Wando Vale batsmen. When the game was called off at 4.30pm, Casterton’s second innings total was 6-181.