By JARROD POTTER
WDCA – semi-finals
WESTERN PARK and Drouin will clash in the WDCA’s finale after knocking off Hallora and Buln Buln respectively.
Drouin (6/183) came home with a wet sail to eliminate Buln Buln (181) on the back of twin 50s from Tim Rasmussen (58) and Jordan Wyatt (50). The batting duo followed up the strong work of Ishan Ratnayake (5/53) on the first day to take the triumph easily off only 37.4 overs.
Hallora (71) set a pittance for Western Park (7/141) as the top-ranked side batted long enough to eliminate any hope of reverse outright.
The WDCA Division-1 grand final will be held at Eastern Park, Warragul over the upcoming weekend.
Hallora (164) had better luck in the seconds, edging out Longwarry (160) in a nail-biter as Mark Phillips (6/49) pushed his side through to the last dance in March.
Iona (116) was brushed aside by Garfield-Tynong’s (2/117) bowlers and especially their batsmen as the visitors swept up the runs in 54 overs courtesy of Tate Burgmann (60 not out).
Hallora will face Garfield-Tynong at Bellbird Park for the Division-2 crown, while Division 3 is set to be a battle between Neerim District and Drouin at Kydd-Parke Reserve in Jindivick.
VSDCA SOUTH EAST 1ST XI – qualifying final
Bowing out at the first hurdle, Endeavour Hills (79) had little in the tank to stop the might of Caulfield (8/289cc).
Caulfield was led by a trio of half-centuries at the top of the order as Peter Cross (55) and Ricky Damiano (53) combined with Luke Bartholomeusz (63).
Bartholomeusz’s innings – plied off 170 balls against the Eagles’ attack – took the match all but out of Endeavour Hills’ grasp as he pushed the tally through to 3/191 before he was finally dismissed.
Shane Peake, four wickets, was the best of the Endeavour Hills contingent as he claimed the crucial scalps of Bartholomeusz and Damiano.
Matt Foenander, two wickets, and captain Chris Pereira, also held up their ends to try and halt Caulfield’s charge. Thomas Hafil (25) held on as long as he could against Caulfield – seeing off the worst of the new ball – but ran out of partners as the top order folded. Cameo knocks from Ben Swift (18) and Richard Saniga (14 not out) weren’t enough to push the Eagles through to the semi-finals.
Reigning premier Noble Park (203) was defeated by Ormond (256).
