By Hayley Wildes
WGCA DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – SEMI-FINALS
Cranbourne Meadows has been the best team all year and in their semi-final clash with Officer the Rebels once again proved their class with a dominant display.
The Bullants won the toss and made the decision to send the Rebels in to bat. It was a decision they would quickly come to regret as openers Veerpartap Singh (25) and Sunny Paul (77) combined for 60 runs to kickstart Cranbourne Meadows’ innings.
After Paul eventually fell, dismissed by Adam Reid (4/84), Vishalbir Thind (81) and Kulith Rabel (52 not out) put on a 102-run partnership. Thind was in terrific form, punishing any wayward deliveries and finishing with 10 fours and a six.
The Rebels finished the day on 7/287 after their 80 overs.
On Sunday, Officer never looked likely to chase down the total as Jahanzaib Athar (3/16) and Tom Smith (3/27) tore through the Bullants’ batting line-up.
At 7/58, Officer was reeling and all but out of the game. Fighting knocks from Shaun Weir (34) and Lachlan Porter (22) saw the pair combine for a 50-run partnership to put some kind of respectability on the scoreboard, but it was far from enough as they were dismissed for just 122 runs in the 47th over.
Meanwhile, Cardinia booked its ticket to the big dance after bowling tremendously well to defend a small total against Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll.
The Bulls elected to bat first but were in strife early as former favourite son Dean Henwood (4/29), Sean Somers (3/60) and Kallon Rigby (2/45) took key wickets in the opening stages to have Cardinia struggling at 4/31.
Brad Tanner (53) and Mark Andolfatto (30) steadied the ship with a 47-run partnership, before Andolfatto was dismissed by Henwood. Ricky Campbell (27) came to the crease and combined with Tanner for another crucial partnership of 48 runs.
Eventually, the Bulls were dismissed for 161 in the 72nd over.
Needing their bowlers to stand up, Cardinia got just that as four players claimed multiple wickets, highlighted by Trent Wheller (3/39).
After stumbling early at 1/4, the Marygoons never recovered as the Bulls dismissed them for just 124 runs in 50 overs.
