It will be Eastern Hill against Tallarook at Kings Park in the Seymour District Cricket Association, SDCA, A Grade grand final this weekend as both teams secured wins on Saturday.
The Eagles were undefeated for the entire home and away season and hosted Yea for its semi-final match on Saturday, with the result never truly in doubt as the day closed 6/203 to 10/53.
Matthew Collard and Brayden Speechley led the way for Eastern Hill on 65 and 64 respectively, while Ollie Bryant also posted a respectable 26 not out.
Bryant was also in top form with the ball, joining Fraser Lewis to take four wickets apiece.
Meanwhile, Tallarook hosted Seymour and emerged victorious in a closer match that finished 8/171 to 9/110.
Captain Lachlan Watts took control with 86 runs and two wickets, while Leigh Irving supported with a strong 43 and Xavier Arandt took another three wickets for himself.
Watts said Seymour had been a ‘bit of a surprise packet this season’ and Tallarook had come prepared.
“They had us two down early before Leigh and I were able to put on a solid partnership that set us up for a defendable score,” he said.
“We lost a few wickets in the middle that was probably the difference between 170 and 200 but we thought we had enough runs on the board.”
Watts said Tallarook had put on its ‘best fielding display for the season’ and praised Arandt for his three wickets and several impressive catches.
“With Xav and Leigh Irving keeping it tight up front before some solid middle overs bowling, Seymour never really got going,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to another grand final. We know our best cricket is good enough, it’s just a matter of putting it all together on the day.”
In the B Grade competition, both Eastern Hill teams lost their semi-finals matches to leave a Yea versus Puckapunyal grand final.
Puckapunyal’s Sam Pullen put on a massive 105 runs on Saturday on top of three 20-plus efforts which, when combined with four wickets from Johnathon Brew alone, left the final scores at 8/246 to Eastern Hill Two’s 10/98.
The B Grade grand final will kick off at 12.30pm at Puckapunyal Cricket Ground.
