Coomealla Wentworth earned their grand final berth on the back of a stunning upset win over Irymple at Henshilwood Reserve in the semi-final on Saturday.
The Blues sent Irymple in and the Freeman brothers, Justin and Liam, were at their economical best to build early pressure. Justin captured the key wicket of Bryson Lush, before then running out captain Dan Coghlan, who was starting to look dangerous on 19 off 29 balls.
From that point, Coomealla Wentworth took control, as Bevan Wade claimed three wickets to rip a hole in the Swallows’ middle order and have them dismissed for just 78.
As expected, Irymple’s bowling attack gave their team a chance, at one stage reducing the Blues to 5/37 in the run chase, thanks largely to the swing and accuracy of Mark Thomson, who snared four wickets.
But a defiant 4 from 37 balls by Matthew Job allowed Liam Freeman (22) to get going at the other end as the pair put on a matchwinning 30-run partnership. Eventually, the Blues got home with three wickets to spare.
Mildura Settlers 4/184 d Workers Gol Gol 6/180
In a match that lived up to its billing, the high quality Mildura Settlers top order clicked when it mattered to chase down an imposing total set by Workers Gol Gol at Alcheringa Oval.
Workers openers Simon Groves (8 off 24) and Shac Thomas (29 off 65) were well contained, but still laid a solid foundation for the rest of the order to build from. Wade Hancock then got the momentum going his team’s way with a classy knock, working the ball to all parts to make 71 off 84 balls,playing well in partnership with coach Adam Thomson, who contributed a handy 22.
As he has done all year, Jesse McGinty then put the finishing touches on the innings in the late overs with an unbeaten 34 off 30 to set a sizeable total.
But Settlers’ batting stars stepped up, with Jason Morrison pounding three sixes on the way to a run-a-ball 39 and Luke Stanbrook smacking two sixes in his 35 from 36 to ensure they were always ahead of the run rate.
Skipper Braidyn Turner played the controlling role, batting at No.3 and seeing his team home with a brilliant 76 not out, which included two sixes and eight fours.
