By Roy Ward
SPRINGVALE South turned Doveton’s dominant season on its head on day one of their Dandenong District Cricket Association Turf 1 semi-final on Saturday.
The Bloods, who won last year’s premiership, batted first and took full advantage of a perfect wicket making 321 to all but end the season of the Doves, who won this year’s minor premiership.
The winner of the semi-final will play either Narre Warren or Berwick in this week’s final.
Bloods coach and veteran batsman Craig Slocombe showed his finals prowess making 94 before being caught behind.
Slocombe said his side had batted with determination throughout the day.
“We managed to score at about three runs an over all day and even though we lost wickets after tea we still managed to stay in and hit back hard in the final overs,” he said.
Slocombe said he was disappointed to fall short of a century although making the final would be fair compensation.
“Going out like that is just life I guess,” he said.
Warren Ayres made 46 and Andrew Sharp 80 while Doveton’s Corrie Wilson took 4-100 from 28 overs.
Slocombe praised the level heads of his players.
“We have got some experience in finals,” he said.
“Experience is the key in finals, we know what to expect.”
Late on the second day Doveton was out of the running at 8-148 after 66 overs.
Berwick opener Josh Holden carried his bat on day one of the Bears’ semi-final clash with Narre Warren, making 137 from 263 balls as the Bears notched 5-369 from their 90 overs at Arch Brown Reserve.
Holden and club legend Gavin Wills (70) joined for a third-wicket stand of 127 to take their side into comfortable territory before a late-innings barrage from James Davies (58 off 29 balls) pushed the Bears past 300.
Facing a mammoth task yesterday, the Magpies went in to bat but were bowled out for 194.
