With only one round left in the men’s First Grade regular season, a remarkable seven teams remain in finals contention with everything still to play for from tomorrow. After the weekend’s results, both last year’s grand finalists entered the top four for the first time this season – CAM VELLACOTT looks at how the weekend unfolded and how they got there.
Premier Finals Go Down To The Wire
Ipswich continued their run of hot form against Valley, defending their home ground for likely the final time this season. After scoring 281 last week, Ipswich needed to target a win in order to press their claim for finals. Off spinning allrounder Noah Emmerson (5/69) cracked the game open for Ipswich when he was able to trap Hugh Weibgen (24 off 79) in front, leaving Valley 2/89. Fast bowler Rowan Lutter (2/32) and Emmerson then ripped through the Valley middle order, taking a combined 5/7 in what was a breathtaking passage of cricket. Valley fought hard to recover, however the damage had been done. Emmerson rounded out with a match winning 5fer, Valley all out 216. The win takes the Hornets into third place heading into this weekend, with a win or draw likely enough to lock in finals.
Sitting half a point behind Ipswich on the ladder in fourth is Norths, who catapulted up the ladder after a remarkable outright win against Uni. In what could be a season defining result, Norths not only jumped from seventh to fourth, but sent Uni from fourth to seventh. With a first innings lead of 75, Norths hunted an outright from the beginning of play.
University were unable to ever gain ascendancy in the match, and were left fighting off an outright loss which they knew would jeopardise their finals spot. Bryce Street (34* off 149) and Will Sanders (39 off 60) top scored for the students, however the relentless Norths attack led Sam Neale (3/29) and Michael Cormack (4/24) proved too strong, University dismissed for 143 with a lead of 68. Despite losing 2/0 in pursuit, Norths Alex Procopis (27* off 36) and Blake Maher (42* off 39) made quick work of the score, finishing 2/69.
Wests registered a strong win against Redlands on the weekend, setting their match up this weekend against Norths as an unofficial quarter final. Chasing Redlands 258, Wests opener Isiah Snell (44 off 161) and middle order maestro Sam Truloff (51 off 95) toiled hard. Redlands roared right back into the match when both batters fell in close succession, leaving Wests 5/155. However the ever reliable Steve McGiffin (67* off 117) and Dan Douthwaite (75 off 126) steered Wests to safety without any further loss of wickets. Wickets were shared between six different bowlers, Jack Sinfield (1/38) and Lachlan McClure (1/49) the most economical. Teams shook hands with Wests 6/293.
Toombul took one step closer to locking in the minor premiership, securing a strong victory over Souths at Norman Gray Oval. Led by captain Daniel Cranitch, their bowling unit was highly impressive in defending 219. A season best bowling performance from Cranitch (6/43) saw Toombul dominate the Souths batters, eventually having them all out for 121. Toombul batted out the afternoon, scoring 9/247 as Bradon Honeybrook (59 off 44) and Preston White (56 off 101) both posted half centuries.
Sunshine Coast sit a close second behind Toombul after securing a close win against Sandgate-Redcliffe. It was a low scoring thriller at Kerry Emery Oval, the Scorchers defending their modest total of 180. Sandgate’s batters toiled hard, however the Sunshine Coast were able to keep finding wickets when needed.
Fast bowling all rounder Nick Fletcher (3/29) has been a terrific addition to the Sunshine Coast’s line up this season. Playing in Melbourne’s Premier competition last season, Fletcher’s swing and bounce has proved the perfect counterpart for Chad Soper’s (2/42) seaming action.
Gators Rory Livingstone (36 off 78) and Kane Neilsen (35 off 62) kept their side in the match and put them within reach of a win, however the loss of 3/1 quickly rounded up the innings and left Sandgate all out 157.
The Gold Coast’s finals chances took a major blow after falling to Wynnum-Manly at Bill Pippen Oval.
Dismissed for 160 last week, it was always going to be a tough battle for the Dolphins to defend their score. However, a wicket with the first ball of the innings gave them great hope before another quick wicket left Wynnum reeling at 2/7.
Wynnum veteran Grayson Jones (72 off 187) then came to the crease, the powerful hitter providing a relatively measured innings in pursuit of the score. Jones and Reuben Burger (42 off 94) saw their side through to 4/122, before Jones and Henry Taylor (22 off 46) guided Wynnum to a win only 5 wickets down.
The Sea Eagles finished all out 238, George Garrett (3/52) and Brad Munro (3/49) leading the wicket takers. The Gold Coast finished their second innings 1/98.