A SEYMOUR District Cricket Association A Grade grand final rematch between Eastern Hill and Broadford looms as a blockbuster return match in January as both teams enter the mid-season break undefeated.
Broadford made short work of Seymour in their meeting at Harley Hammond Reserve on Saturday, keeping the visitors to only 52 runs.
No Seymour batsman reached double figures with the Broadford attack firing on all cylinders.
Cody Ball, Riley Nolan, Jeremy Bradshaw and skipper Taylor Shell each took two wickets, while James Jones finished with 1/5 in a 2.1-over cameo at the end of the innings.
The home side was little troubled chasing down the total, with Connor Stute’s 21 runs getting the chase off to a perfect start.
Broadford seemed set to reach their target without loss before Stute was caught by James Voogt off the bowling of Daniel McLarty.
The wicket brought Mitch Collier to the crease and, along with Declan Teohaere, 11 not out, he helped guide the home team to victory.
Broadford has now posted wins in all four of its matches after a delayed start to the season, and will take on red-hot reigning premier Eastern Hill on January 7 in a rematch of last year’s grand final.
The Eagles are also undefeated after an impressive bowling display against Yea Tigers on Saturday.
Playing a relocated home game at Seymour’s Chittick Park, the Eagles batted first and overcame the early loss of Brayden Speechley with a 63-run innings from fellow opener Dallas Bergowicz.
Bergowicz and Ben Bryant, 35, put on 70 runs for the second wicket setting up an innings of 7/189.
The Tigers struggled in reply, bowled out for only 88 in 32 overs, with Dan O’Sullivan claiming 5/10 in a brilliant eight-over performance.
Also notable for Eastern Hill was Bryant, who surrendered just five runs and claimed two wickets in his eight innings, which included three maidens.
Broadford will play host to the Eagles in their first meeting of the season when play resumes on January 7, with Yea Tigers set to travel to play Tallarook and Seymour taking a bye.