By Gavin Staindl
UPSETS and last-minute comebacks were all part of the weekend that led to two down-and-out teams squeezing into the finals of the Turf One Dandenong and District Cricket Association.
In the last weekend of the regular season, the grand finalists from last year, Springvale South and Parkfield, were both knocked out of finals by Buckley Ridges and Doveton – which secured their positions on the back of dramatic outright wins.
@BT Sub Sport News:Buckley Ridges d Parkfield
An epic two-day battle at Parkfield Reserve culminated with the final ball as Buckley Ridges held off Parkfield to secure the win that promoted them into finals.
With both teams playing for the last finals spot, the match came down to the final over where Parkfield needed four runs off the remaining six Shane D’Rozario balls.
After a single off the first ball, a run-out from the ensuing ball and another single from the third ball, Parkfield found itself one wicket away from a loss but only two runs away from finals.
Two dot balls later meant it came down to the final delivery and who better to have the ball than the experienced off-spinner.
“I told Franksy (captain Paul Franks) that I wanted to bowl at the end of the day,” D’Rozario said.
“I was a bit nervous but I knew what I had to do … I love being put into this kind of position,” D’Rozario said.
The game-winner for the Ridges was aware of batter Shane Doig’s intentions to advance down the wicket, and proceeded to bowl the ball wide down the off-side. Doig swung but missed, resulting in his stumping.
The memorable one-run win is even more astounding given where Buckley Ridges had been earlier in the day.
After making 251 on day one, Buckley Ridges then watched as Parkfield proceeded to declare at 8/106 after sensing a chance for a reverse-outright win.
Needing an outright win itself, Ridges captain Franks then declared without ever heading to the crease. This meant Parkfield would bat again needing 145 runs to win.
At 4/130 Buckley Ridges were all-but gone.
“There was quietness in the field. But as Franksy said, ‘if we stick in there you never know what could happen’,” D’Rozario said, quoting the County Cricket player from England.
And they did exactly that.
Four quick wickets and smart bowling by man-of-the-match D’Rozario soon had the Buckley Ridges crowd flocking onto the ground to join in the celebration of making finals.
@BT Sub Sport News:Hallam Kalora Park d Keysborough
Hallam Kalora Park is eyeing a semi-final against Doveton after easily accounting for Keysborough at Hallam rec reserve on the weekend.
Hallam-Kalora Park’s Cory Booth hit 73 as the home team passed Keysborough’s first innings total of 173 with 20 overs and six wickets to spare.
The 8-3 Hallam-Kalora Park side will now play Doveton in the second semi-final at Hallam Rec Reserve.
@BT Sub Sport News:Berwick d St Mary’s
Not even a century by St Mary’s opener Brendan Rydquist was enough to get his team past Berwick’s first innings total at Arch Brown Reserve.
Rydquist (100) and Troy Cashman (61) both put on high scores but their team’s total of 241 fell well short of Berwick’s 7/359.
Ashley Henry took 6/82 and was the best of the Berwick bowlers.
@BT Sub Sport News:North Dandenong d Narre Warren
North Dandenong’s win against Narre Warren was small consolation for what was a disappointing last half to the season.
North Dandenong beat the Magpies by 118 runs at Lois Twohig Reserve but the win was only the second for North Dandenong since the competition resumed after Christmas – five rounds ago.
Narre Warren’s Ryan Christie continued his good end-of-season form by making 51, but it was not enough as his team were bowled out for 216.
@BT Sub Sport News:Springvale South d Coomoora
Despite a convincing win, Springvale th will feel disheartened that they could not turn it into a finals appearance.
After declaring at 4/333 last week at Alex Nelson Reserve, Springvale South then failed to bowl the soon-to-be relegated Coomoora out as Liam Coates (45) and tailender Troy Jeffs (32) batted until the 72nd over.
Alex Roberts took 4/41 and attempted to do the same in the second innings (2/19) but Springvale South came up eight wickets short of the required outright victory.
