Finals for Noble in nailbiter

NOBLE Park Cricket Club’s first XI booked its place in the Premier League finals after defeating Brighton by seven runs in a thrilling epic last game where the victors got the spoils and the loser’s season ended.
Noble had a couple setbacks early with Damien Fleming and Jon Stones ruled out before the game.
With Gavin Hurley winning the toss and batting, openers Andrew O’Meara and Andrew Brown got the side off to a solid start sharing in a 68-run partnership before O’Meara was dismissed in the 17th over.
Rod Douthie departed shortly after to have the home side 2/84 off 21 overs.
Hurley and Brown then shared in a 77-run stand when Hurley was bowled for 46 with the total on 161 in the 39th over.
It was soon 5/164 with Kynan Ford and Matt Crozier back in the sheds.
Sharni Perera and Brown then added another 26 off only 18 balls when Perera was run out in the 43rd over.
Noble reached 9/198 off its allotted 45 overs with Brown dismissed on the penultimate ball for a magnificent 93.
Brighton’s run chase started well, reaching 35 without loss before Mark Rendle got the early breakthrough in the ninth over.
It was 3/36 an over later as Kynan Ford took two wickets and 4/38 as Rendle struck again the next over and 5/38 when Ford took his third.
A 61-run stand saw the visitors reach 99 before Ash Perera took a magnificent catch to give Matt Crozier his first scalp.
Brighton added 72 runs in 14 overs without loss when Ash Perera picked up the vital wicket of Brendan Mutimer for 39.
With three overs to go, both sides had finals on their minds with Noble requiring three wickets and Brighton 27 runs.
Fortunately the Bulls got the breakthrough with Brighton’s eighth wicket falling in the 43rd over with the score on 183.
With Kynan Ford starting the final over, Brighton needed 14 runs for victory, but Kynan Ford ensured only five runs were scored off his over to see Noble Park secure victory and a place in the final six.
Ford finished with 3/27 off nine overs and Rendle 2/26 off his nine.
A century to captain Darren Seccull was not enough for the second XI to win its final game of the season.
Seccull smashed an unbeaten 107 as the side reached 4/233 off its 45 overs.
In rely Brighton passed the total in the last over with the loss of seven wickets, David Kennedy picking up 3/35 and Paul Hill 2/23.
The third XI ended its season by defeating Brighton by 49 runs.
Batting first, the side amassed 8/166 with Darren Wilcox top scoring with 61 with support from Matt Ferguson (34) and Jake D’Atri (33).
In reply Brighton was dismissed for 118 with Andrew Borovac taking 3/7 off three overs.
The fourth XI also finished on a winning note dismissing Brighton for 59 with Andrew Dennis taking 3/5 and David Parker 3/17.
The side reached the required total with the loss of only one wicket.
Mark Jacotine scored 17 not out and Lamith Paranapalliyage 28 not out.
This week sees the first XI taking on Elsternwick at Elsternwick Park in the first semi-final.