By ROY WARD
ENDEAVOUR Hills’ debut finals series ended a week early after its semi-final against Plenty Valley at AK Line Reserve was washed out yesterday.
The Eagles looked the better side in limited play on the first day, reducing the Bats to 4-87 from just 38 overs when play was called off due to rain.
The visitors had high hopes of the second day as they hoped to get early wickets but never got to take the field.
Rain left the pitch and outfield unplayable, handing the Bats a place in the final, as they were the higher-placed team.
On the first day the Valley looked a chance to get away from the Eagles after star batsman Lorenzo Ingram (39) took them to 3-76 but Richie Saniga took this vital wicket.
Unlike many other Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association semi-finals, which were played as one-day games yesterday, the Eagles set themselves the task of bowling out the Valley as quickly as possible but they never got back on the pitch.
Eagles captain-coach Matt Hutchinson, who took two early wickets on the first day, was disappointed his side couldn’t get on the field and fight for a place in the final.
Hutchinson also questioned the VSDCA rules that left some of the Eagles’ lower grade sides playing one-day games on Sunday despite having got to strong positions before the rain set in on Saturday.
“I’ve never heard of any league using white balls and coloured cloths in the finals of a two-day competition,” he said.
“Our thirds and fourths were in good positions but now have to play one-day games, so you could have sides that are better at one-day matches playing in the two-day grand final instead of the best two-day teams.
“I’ve never seen that in any other league. I’ve always thought the higher-placed team should get the benefit if rain affects play.”
In the other VSDCA semi-final, Oakleigh was battling Coburg at Warrawee Park in a one-day game after play was abandoned after 27 overs on Saturday.
The Oaks, who finished on top of the ladder, were surprised to learn that under league rules the second day of their semi-final would become a one-day game, leaving their total of 1-50 null and void.
Oaks playing coach Brendan McGuinness said he was disappointed the Oaks’ hard work with the bat would go unrewarded but was confident his side would still do the job and earn a place in the grand final.
“Apparently we didn’t complete enough time to keep the score, so we are a bit upset about it but that is the way it goes.
The Oaks were 6-115 from 35 overs when the Journal went to print.
Both semi-finals finished after the Journal went to print yesterday.
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