By Nicholas Creely
DDCA T20
Semi Final Review
Buckley Ridges and Cranbourne have both powered their way to a DDCA Twenty20 final by putting up dominant performances in the semi-finals on 25 January.
Down at Park Oval, the Bucks faced off with a star-studded Berwick line-up, electing to bat on one of the smallest grounds in the competition.
But what happened next needed to be seen to be believed – Daniel Watson (119 not out) crunched a wonderful century, flaying the Bears bowlers all over the park.
The whirlwind knock included a whopping eight maximums and a dozen boundaries, all in the space of just 66 balls, lifting the Bucks to an ominous 7/175.
It’s not the first time Watson has stolen the show in this tournament with the blade either – in the 2008/09 final against Springvale South he made a record 193 not out, a knock which included 14 sixes.
Star Bears captain Jarrod Goodes (4/36) could hold his head high once again while James Wilcock (2/27) performed well.
In reply, the Bears were in serious strife early, losing Nathan Pilon and marquee Michael Wallace early before Jarrod Armitage (35) and Ryan Crawford (47) battled it out to finish all-out on 147.
Hussain Ali was extraordinary with the ball in the middle-period of the run-chase, taking 5/16 off his four overs, including the key scalps of Wallace, Josh Holden and Goodes.
Lukas Hoogenboom (3/30) was also pivotal but went at over 10 an over.
Meanwhile at Casey Fields, The Eagles destroyed Parkfield in a completely one-sided affair.
It seemed like the Eagles were hell-bent on revenge after the Parkers upset them just a week prior in Turf 1 and were at their dominant best right from the outset.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Parkers were bundled out for just 72 off 18.5 overs with the Eagles taking advantage throughout the middle-stages of the innings.
Jakeb McVicar (3/10) and Cameron Dinger (3/10) worked in tandem excellently while Matt Chasemore (2/29), Cameron Kelly (1/13) and Steven Spoljaric (1/7) were all on song with their seam bowling.
And Spoljaric (41) wasted little time knocking over the meagre total as the Eagles reached the target in just 11.5 overs and one wicket down.
Lucas Ligt (30 not out) continued his rich vein of form, playing patiently around the champion skipper.
Although the times and venue have yet to be announced, the final will be played on 8 February in what is looming as one of the most tantalizing matches in the competition’s short but exciting history.
