RCCA IN FOCUS – Round 18
AN early look at their semi-final match-up awaits Nursery Ridge and Tempy as they collide in the final round of the Red Cliffs Cricket Association season.
Ridge are 2-1 in their head-to-head battles this year and will play host at the Onion Patch at Quandong Park, as both sides sound each other out for next week’s final.
The home side come in with the better form, following their 35-run victory over Robinvale Euston at Len Arnott Oval last week.
Zac Heath and Brad Purdue were superb with the ball, taking 5/23 and 4/17 respectively to stop the Rangers getting near the 128-run target.
Earlier in the day, Liam Heath (37) and Craig Parker (32) topped the scoresheet as Ridge made 6/127 from their 40 overs.
Tempy, meanwhile, had their second consecutive loss, coming at the hands of near rivals Ouyen, who won by 61 runs at the Tigers’ den.
Tate Hulland, Zak Robertson and Will Grigg claimed two wickets each for the Tigers as a lower order smash by Brad Parsons, yielding 66 runs from just 32 deliveries, guided the Rams to 199 all out in their clash at Tempy.
Despite an impressive 54 from Jace Monaghan and 21 from skipper Joel Monaghan, Tempy were held to 9/138 from their 40 overs.
The competition’s leading wicket-taker, Daniel Kay, did the damage with 4/34.
Robinvale Euston will look the set themselves up for a tough semi-final clash with Ouyen when they play Millewa at Quandong Park Caravan Park Oval.
Rangers opener Noah Lanigan led the way with the ball last week with 3/20, taking his impressive season to 18 wickets.
The Rangers didn’t die wondering, all out for 92 in the 28th over against Ridge with Jacob Lister top-scoring on 28 and skipper Aaron Zappia making 16 not out.
The Bullants meanwhile will hope to finish the season on a high.
Jeremy Aworth had an outstanding campaign with 300 runs, the most in the competition heading into the final round and 14 scalps, as did captain Scottie Clark with 225 runs and a team-best 15 wickets.
