By Nicholas Creely
The DDCA Under 21s remain undefeated, winning its third Neil Weight Shield match against Box Hill Reporter DCA at Rowley Allen Reserve in Keysborough on Sunday 4 December.
In what has been a highly successful campaign for the representative heavyweights, the DDCA is set for another finals series.
The DDCA elected to bat, with a series of starts by Liam Hamilton (38) from Springvale South, Darcy Hellriegel (36) from Buckley Ridges, Rob Peat (28) from St Mary’s, Jakob Woinarski (25) from Mordialloc and skipper Jordan Hammond (25) from Hallam-Kalora Park lifting them to 8/178 off their 40 overs – another solid score considering their slow start.
But the Box Hill DCA is a notoriously strong batting side having been inside the top four in runs scored this tournament so a solid bowling effort was truly required.
With the ball, the DDCA were well served by Josh Dowling from Narre North, who bowled a fine spell to finish with 4/13.
The Box Hill DCA finished on 7/172, seven runs short of victory in a thrilling match.
Dowling has been highly impressive in the carnival round-robin, leading the wicket tally with seven majors for the DDCA.
In a side coached by legendary cricketer Craig Slocombe, the DDCA are well placed for yet another Neil Wright Shield next to its name.
The DDCA Under 21s have finished second on the ladder and are expected to tackle Ringwood DCA in the semi-final on 15 January, but the date, venue and opposition is yet to be formally announced.
