By Les Hutchings
It was a good weekend for Kilsyth Cricket Club with five teams participating in the finals.
The Women’s team won their second consecutive premiership, whilst the Men’s Third and Fourth XI’s won their Semi-Finals to progress to their respective Grand Finals next weekend. Unfortunately, the Fifth XI, who were minor premiers, went down to Montrose and the Under 14 Yarra Glen/Kilsyth combined team played a tie in their Semi-Final, which went down to the very last ball in a dramatic finish.
The best batting performances came from the Fourth XI’s Matthew Harper, who top scored with 92 off 108 balls, and Kilsyth Women’s Captain Ashleigh Katoa, who scored a brilliant 73 off 78 balls. In their innings, both players passed the 1,000 senior runs milestone for Kilsyth CC. The best bowling performances were: Mark Wells, with 3/6 off 4.4 overs for the Third XI, and Lecia Baldry 3/10 off 6 overs for the Women’s First XI.
On Sunday, the Women’s First XI played Wandin First XI in the Grand Final for the second consecutive season. Wandin won the toss and elected to bowl at Seville Recreation Reserve, South Oval. After the first 8 overs, Kilsyth were 2/14 with sisters Olivia Edwards and Charlotte Edwards both taking a wicket. At the first drinks break after 10 overs Kilsyth had progressed to 2/21, with Wandin bowling tightly and runs difficult to come by. However, a third-wicket partnership of 83 between Ashleigh Katoa and Avanthi Jayawickrema lifted the score to 97 after 19.2 overs. It was then that Avanthi was out for 19 off 33 balls (3 fours), after a brilliant diving catch by Olivia Edwards at square leg off the bowling of Natalie Lowe. Ashleigh Katoa and Lecia Baldry then took the score to 135 in the 27th over when Ashleigh was well caught at deep mid-on by Charlotte Edwards off Tilly Pearce’s bowling for a commanding 73, including 10 fours & 2 powerful sixes. Eventually, the Redbacks finished on 7/149cc off their allotted 30 overs with good contributions from Lecia Baldry, 12 off 25 balls (1 four), and Stephanie Gibbs 10 off 10 balls (1 four). The wicket takers for Wandin were Olivia Edwards with 3/9 off 6 overs (2 maidens), Natalie Lowe 1/18 off 2 overs, Tilly Pearce 1/20 off 6 overs, and Charlotte Edwards 1/21 off 6 overs (1 maiden). In reply, Wandin were 2/21 off 10 overs (the same position that Kilsyth were in). The second wicket to fall was that of the dangerous Charlotte Edwards, run out for 10, following a good throw by Sarah Gibbs to Georgia Smith at the bowler’s end. Belinda Cuddon was the third wicket to fall, bowled by Sarah Gibbs for 12 off 49 balls and Wandin was now 3/43 off 16.1 overs. It was soon 4/49 in the 19th over when Lecia Baldry claimed her second wicket (lbw). Wandin put up a good fight but in the end, the target proved too great. Olivia Edwards top scored with a bright 32 off 41 balls (4 fours) before being bowled by Courtney Anderson. Kate Johnstone made 10 off 20 balls but was run out by Ashleigh Katoa with a throw to ’keeper Sharon Sheals, and Tilly Pearce was not out 10 off 23 balls. The wicket takers for Kilsyth were Lecia Baldry, who captured 3/10 off 6 overs (1 maiden), Sarah Gibbs 1/8 off 4 overs, and Courtney Anderson 1/27 off 6 overs. It was an incredible win considering that the team lost seven players from last season’s winning team.
The Third XI played their semi-final against Lusatia Park at Woori Yallock Recreation Reserve. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat on a fine, warm day with the temperature reaching a top of 32C. The Redbacks got off to a bright start but lost their first wicket when Anthony Cook was brilliantly caught from a diving catch by Andrew Van Der Vlugt at backward square leg for 27 off 23 balls (4 fours), off the bowling of Lucas Parker. At that stage, Kilsyth were 1/33 off 7.2 overs. Parker then picked up two more wickets and Jai Gupta one to see the Redbacks slump to 4/55 after 15 overs. Dylan Smith then joined Mark Unternahrer and they steadied the situation to see Kilsyth reach 4/110 after 41 overs when afternoon tea was taken. Following the resumption, Unternahrer and Smith continued to build the score and eventually shared a fifth wicket partnership of 101 before Smith was caught behind by Sumant Gupta off the bowling of Jackson Wright for a well-made 43 off 128 balls (4 fours). Unternahrer was out soon after for 49 off 133 balls (7 fours & 1 six), caught at deep square leg by Corey Winter-Annette, bowled Viren Kuma. Kilsyth were now 6/158 after 56 overs. From there wickets tumbled and the Redbacks were all out for a disappointing 178 off 65.1 overs, losing their last 6 wickets for 22 runs. The wicket takers for Lusatia Park were Lucas Parker, 4/31 off 21.1 overs (3 maidens), Jackson Wright 4/35 off 14 overs (2 maidens), Viren Kumar 1/31 off 10 overs (3 maidens), and Jai Gupta 1/40 off 12 overs (2 maidens). At stumps, Lusatia Park were 1/26 off 14 overs with Justin Smith capturing 1/0 off 3 overs (3 maidens). Lusatia Park resumed their innings on Day 2 but lost an early wicket in the 18th over to be 2/32 (caught Russell Hutchings, bowled Matthew Burgess). Then a third-wicket partnership of 44 ended when Stephen Morgan was bowled by Mark Unternahrer for 26 off 64 balls (3 fours). In the same over, the 35th of the innings, Unternahrer claimed another wicket (lbw) and Lusatia Park were now 4/78. After that, they continued to lose wickets, 5/89, 6/95, 7/105, 8/105, 9/117 and all out for 117 in 50.4 overs with Mark Wells claiming the last 3 wickets to finish with 3/6 off 4.4 overs (3 maidens) to take out the bowing honours. The other wicket-takers were Justin Smith 3/23 off 14 overs (7 maidens), Mark Unternahrer 3/39 off 12 overs (3 maidens), and Matthew Burgess 1/16 off 6 overs (1 maiden). Kilsyth now plays Yarra Junction’s Second XI in the Grand Final next weekend at Yarra Junction.
The Fourth XI played North Ringwood at Barngeong Reserve (Oval Number 2) in their split innings Semi-Final. After winning the toss, North Ringwood elected to bowl, and Kilsyth lost early wickets to be 1/8, 2/16, 3/20, 4/31 and 5/40 off 21.2 overs. However, at the end of the first split of 36 overs, the Redbacks had consolidated to be 5/85. Matthew Harper was on 30 not out off 44 balls (3 fours), and Captain Anthony Sequeira 13 not out off 51 balls. North Ringwood’s multiple wicket takers were Amos Horneman 2/18 off 8 overs (1 maiden), and Ben Bellizia 2/13 off 3 overs. In reply, North Ringwood had an opening partnership of 68 between Colin Rule, 41 off 44 balls (7 fours), and Nam Ngo 22 off 66 balls (3 fours). Then two quick wickets fell to see them 3/77, but they steadied to be 3/121 off 36 overs at stumps on Day 1, a lead of 36 runs. The not-out batsmen were Stephen Parsons (20*) and Adam Rigg (19*). The wicket takers for Kilsyth were Matt Harper 2/25 off 10 overs (1 maiden), and Anthony Sequeira 1/22 off 10 overs (1 maiden). On Sunday, North Ringwood resumed their innings and continued to build their score, reaching 3/170 in the 52nd over. It was then that leg spinner Andrew Smith had Adam Rigg caught for 38 off 73 balls (3 fours) after a fourth-wicket partnership of 93. In the next over Matthew Harper claimed a wicket (bowled) to see North now 5/171. However, Stephen Parsons, 91 not out off 180 balls (10 fours & 1 six), and Brian l’Anson 63 not out off 66 balls (10 fours & 1 six), took North Ringwood to an imposing 5/289cc off 72 overs. For Kilsyth, Matthew Harper bowled superbly, capturing 3/45 off 20 overs (3 maidens). The other wicket takers were Andrew Smith, 1/55 off 16 overs (1 maiden), and Anthony Sequeira 1/79 off 18 overs (1 maiden). Thus, Kilsyth were set 205 to win in 36 overs with only five wickets in hand, a mammoth task! However, Matthew Harper and Anthony Sequeira resumed their partnership on Sunday and eventually put on 148 for the sixth wicket, a Club record for the Fourth XI. Harper was out for an impressive 92 off 108 balls (10 fours & 1 six). At that point, Anthony Sequeira was on 42 not out and Kilsyth was 6/188 off 57.1 overs, still needing 102 off the remaining 14.5 overs. Mark Sfiligoj joined Sequeira and they took the score to 211 when Sequeira was out for a well-made 53 off 130 balls (2 fours). Another quick wicket saw Sfiligoj out for 12 off 17 balls (2 fours), and Kilsyth were now 8/212 off 62.2 overs, needing 78 off 9.4 overs to win. However, Steve Galea, 49 not out off 30 balls (1 four & 5 sixes), and Micael Sturt 28 not out off 23 balls (3 fours & 1 six), got the job done with 5 balls to spare in an incredible effort. The multiple wicket takers for North Ringwood were Amos Horneman, 3/48 off 18 overs (2 maidens), Ben Bellizia 2/13 off 3 overs, and Adam Rigg 2/43 off 9.1 overs (1 maiden). The Fourth XI now play Chirnside Park in the Grand Final next weekend at Chirnside Park.
The Fifth XI, who finished on top of the home and away ladder, played fourth-placed Montrose at Roy Baldwin Oval, Pinks Reserve. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bowl. Mark Rollings picked up an early wicket (clean bowled) and Montrose were 1/11 after 3.3 overs. A second wicket partnership of 49 was broken in the 14th over when Kilsyth Captain Tyron Paspa caught and bowled Kane Rattray Robert for 24 off 26 balls (2 fours & 1 six). In the 19th over, Rhys Kearney bowled Gary Mangnall for 42 off 58 balls (6 fours). Then, in the same over, Kearney snared another wicket to have Montrose 4/91. It was soon 5/95 after 21 overs and Kilsyth were fighting back. However, Montrose continued to accumulate runs and had reached 135 in the 28th over when the sixth wicket fell. Tait Harper caught and bowled Anthony Hart for a brisk 37 off 30 balls (4 fours & 1 six). From there Montrose were eventually all out for 176 in 35.4 overs with Nathan Geurts scoring 23 off 43 balls (3 fours). For Kilsyth, Rhys Kearney captured 3/27 off 6 overs (1 maiden), Jordan Relf 3/29 off 6.4 overs, Mark Rollings 1/12 off 4 overs, Tait Harper 1/14 off 2 overs, Tyron Paspa 1/17 off 3 overs, and Stewart Gibb 1/30 off 6 overs.
In the run chase, Kilsyth’s opening partnership of 50 in 11.5 overs ended when Geoff Kennedy was out for 15 off 27 balls (1 four). With the score on 91 in the 22nd over, Tyron Paspa was caught for 17 off 69 balls. From there, Kilsyth lost regular wickets, 3/93, 4/102, and 5/103 after 23.4 overs with Harvey Hutchings capturing 4 wickets and Greg Gommers scoring 21 off 33 balls. So, Kilsyth needed 74 off 12.2 overs but the task proved beyond them, and in the end, the Redbacks were all out for 155 in 33.1 overs, losing the match by 21 runs. Pat Moilanen remained 22 not out off 24 balls (3 fours), whilst Jordan Relf scored 16 off 13 balls (1 four & 1 six). For Montrose. ex-Kilsyth player Anthony Hart took 4/13 off 3.1 overs, Harvey Hutchings 4/21 off 3 overs, and Acacia Pearce 1/26 off 6 overs (1 maiden). Nevertheless, Kilsyth’s Fifth XI had a great season and can be proud of their achievements.
The combined Yarra Glen/Kilsyth Under 14-5 team played Mount Evelyn in the Preliminary Final at Mount Evelyn’s main oval. Yarra Glen/Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat, losing their first wicket with the score on 7 after 3.4 overs. Ronak Mehra was the second wicket to fall, on the first ball of the 9th over for 11 off 12 balls. The score was now 2/30. It became 3/49 off 10.2 overs when Hayden Monds was bowled by Ben Dunstone for 15 off 10 balls (3 fours). The fourth wicket did not fall until the score had reached 106 after 17.2 overs. It was then that Tait Harper was bowled by Jacdan Mikaelian for 17 off 23 balls (3 fours). Batsmen who had retired not out after 25 balls were Daniel Shaw and Lawson Appleton. It was soon 5/107 and 6/108 after 19.2 overs. Further wickets fell as follows: 7/131, 8/133 and 9/143 before Yarra Glen /Kilsyth reached 9/144cc after 25 overs. Lawson Appleton had scored 24 off 27 balls (4 fours), whilst Daniel Shaw finished on 14 not out off 27 balls (1 four), and William Asbury 22 not out off 26 balls (1 four). The multiple wicket taker for Mount Evelyn was Jacdan Mikaelian with 2/ 21 off 4 overs. Mount Evelyn lost an early wicket to be 1/7 after 4.2 overs (lbw to pace bowler Hayden Monds). The second wicket fell with the score on 68 on the last ball of the 16th over. By that stage three Mount Evelyn batsmen had retired not out after 25 balls: Ezra Joyce 8*, Ranen Gereg 14*and Harry Dunstone 21* (3 fours). Next to retire not out was Benjamin Dunstone 35* (5 fours). Mount Evelyn was increasing their run rate and when the third wicket fell on 118, 21.3 overs had been bowled. So, Mount Evelyn needed 27 off the last 3.3 overs to win. When Tyler Smith was out for 22 off 23 balls (2 fours), Mount Evelyn was 4/138 after 23.3 overs with 9 balls remaining. After two runouts in the 25th over Mount Evelyn were 6/141 off 24.5
overs with one ball remaining in the match. Mount Evelyn needed 3 to tie and because they finished higher on the ladder on percentage, would go through to the Grand Final in the event of a tie. The last ball was played down towards fine leg and the batsmen came back for a second run whilst the ball was thrown to the ’keeper who removed the bails and there was an appeal for a runout which was given not out. Whilst the players were appealing to the square leg umpire the runner at the bowler’s end came back for a third run so the keeper removed the stump and held the ball to the stump for another run-out appeal but it was ruled that the runner had made his ground, then the striker ran to the other end to complete the third run and the scores were tied. It was an incredible and dramatic finish to the match which meant that Yarra Glen/Kilsyth had missed out on playing in the Grand Final in a disappointing end to a very good season.
