By Stuart Teather
THE Dandenong District Cricket Association’s Turf One grand final will be an all-local affair with Springvale South and Parkfield to battle it out for premiership honours.
Perennial finalists Springvale South will contest their fifth premiership in six years, while Parkfield is in its first decider since 1994.
@BT Sub Sport News:Springvale South v North Dandenong
Springvale South scraped through in a thriller against North Dandenong at Alex Nelson Reserve, stealing a three-run win in the dying overs on Sunday afternoon.
Batting first, Springvale South posted 9/274 on day one with a solid effort throughout the order.
Springvale South captain Craig Slocombe (65) fired up at the crease, going to the boundary 10 times in the innings and over it once in a knock that proved pivotal in the clash.
He combined first with Lance MacDougall (17) and then Michael Davies (32) to get the runs on the board.
Set 275 for victory, North Dandenong struggled early on in reply and fell to 3/46, before Carman Mapatuna (68) steadied the ship from number-four.
He combined with Shane Leonard (47) and Adrian Baltruschaitis (68), who had his best knock for the year, batting at number-six.
With five overs to go, Baltruschaitis and captain Chris Clarke were at the crease and Clarke said the pair was on track for victory.
“We had four wickets in hand and we only needed 25, 26 runs,” he said.
“I didn’t really feel the pressure too much and we had a partnership of 40-odd.
“I was waiting for Silva to toss one up, so I could hit it through mid-wicket, which was vacant, but I didn’t quite get it and Sharp dived and took a great catch.
“From there we just fell to the pressure. It shouldn’t have been that hard, but finals things, they just happen.”
North Dandenong ended up at 9/271, four painful runs short of a place in this week’s decider.
Springvale South’s Slocombe said the win was especially pleasing, as North Dandenong knocked off the Souths in almost identical fashion in the semi-finals last season.
“They were probably in the box seat (this season), we were lucky to get away with it,” he said.
“The tables have sort of turned this year.”
@BT Sub Sport News:Doveton v Parkfield
Parkfield booked its place in the grand final with a resounding win over Doveton at Robinson Reserve.
It took to the crease and flew out of the blocks on the back of a good opening stand from Ryan Pitts (50) and Brad Houghton (95).
The solid foundation allowed Parkfield to hit out and the side pushed on to record 276, setting Doveton a big task on day two.
The Doves had a positive start on Sunday through Brad Downe (40) andRyan Pearson (22), but Shane Doig stopped the charge with a blistering four-wicket spell on his way to 4/67 off 27 overs for the day.
The Doves never recovered and collapsed all out for 156 and Parkfield won through to its first grand final in 15 years.
Remarkably, two players in this year’s team played in the 1994 premiership when the side defeated Hallam.
Captain Dale Harris and club president Tony Payne were in the winning side and Harris said it had been a long wait.
“Payney is 39 and I’m 32, we were starting to wonder if we’d get to play in another one,” he said with a laugh.
Harris said the club was full of excitement heading into the big clash with Springvale South.
“There’s a great vibe around the club at the moment, Turf Three is in the grand final as well,” he said.
“We’re huge underdogs, there’s no doubt about that, I don’t think there’s too many punters out there tipping us.
“The best thing about us is we get an even contribution from everyone; we’ve got no stars in our side, everyone just does their bit.”
