By Les Hutchings
The 44 team RDCA T20 competition came down to four teams to play off in two semi finals last Tuesday evening for the right to play in the T20 Grand Final.
Undefeated Number 1 seed Kilsyth played Ainslie Park in the Semi Final at Pinks Reserve. It was a hot day with the temperature reaching 36.9C at Kilsyth in the afternoon. Kilsyth Captain Coach Marcus Adams won the toss and elected to field.
With the score on 13, Dillon Bettess was dropped in the third over off Kamal Kuruppu before he had scored, and this proved costly as Bettess and Jake Tucker then put on an opening partnership of 98 in 10.2 overs. Bettess was the first wicket to fall, lbw to left arm spinner Uvindu Wimaladharma for 25 off 27 balls (2 fours & 1 six).
Tucker, who had been particularly punishing with some powerful hitting, was 71 not out at that stage. His 50 had come up off only 27 balls, including two towering sixes.
However, Kilsyth continued to fight back with Tucker well caught at fly slip by Mark Unternahrer after attempting a reverse hook shot, with the score now 2/106 after 12 overs. He had made a commanding 74 off 39 balls, including 5 fours and 3 sixes.
Ainslie then lost a clump of wickets: 3/116, 4/119, 5/123 and 6/126 after 16.5 overs, putting Kilsyth back in the game. James Johnstone, who was dropped on 5, was bowled by Scott-Thomas for 15 off 10 balls and Ainslie Park eventually compiled 8/160cc after their allotted 20 overs. For Kilsyth, Mackenzie Scott-Thomas captured 3/25 off 4 overs, Hayden Pleming 2/35 off 4 overs, Kamal Kuruppu 1/14 off 4 overs (1 maiden), and Uvindu Wimaladharma 1/32 off 4 overs.
Kilsyth did not get off to the start they wanted and after 3 overs were 2/4, both batsmen being clean bowled by Jake Tucker. Gun Kilsyth batsman, Andy Solomons, who was carrying a back injury, smashed 6, 4 & 4 off consecutive balls in the fourth over but cover drove the last ball low to the ground and was well caught by Jake Tucker off the bowling of Ethan Stone for 15 off 7 balls (2 fours & 1 six). Kilsyth were now 3/18 off 4 overs and in trouble. It became 4/40 on the second ball of the 9th over when Marcus Adams was unfortunately just run out, attempting a second run. Kilsyth then lost several wickets: 5/51, 6/60, 7/64 & 8/68 after 11.3 overs.
A fighting 9th wicket partnership between Uvindu Wimaladharma and Will Beard took the score to 101, when Wimaladharma was stumped off the bowling of Ethan Stone for 26 off 16 balls (1 four), after 15.2 overs. Kilsyth lost their last wicket, Hayden Pleming for 13 off 11 balls (1 four), with the score on 117 after 17.5 overs, with Will Beard remaining 10 not out off 14 balls. For Ainslie Park, Jake Tucker took 2/16 off 4 overs, Ethan Stone 2/21 off 3 overs, Matthew Mountain 2/29 off 3 overs, Captain James Hunter 1/11 off 2.5 overs, and James Johnstone 1/12 off 2 overs. It was a disappointing end to the tournament for Kilsyth, who had played so well in their previous six matches.
Nevertheless, the players can be proud of their overall efforts in reaching the semi final.
The Grand Final will now be played between Lilydale and Ainslie Park at Pinks Reserve, Kilsyth on Sunday, 2nd February 2025 from 3.00pm.
