Finals delayed

By Keith Thompson
SATURDAY was the scheduled first day in all grades of the Yarra Valley Cricket Association finals matches for the 2006-07 season.
Rain, something we haven’t seen much of, came on the Saturday resulting in no play in all but two of the games. These games commenced on Sunday.
In the RA Finger Trophy final, Gruyere Districts took on Hoddles Creek at Seville but the umpires waited until tea when the skies cleared and the ground was in an almost perfect state for play to start. It was only briefly interrupted on one occasion as some 35 overs were played with Gruyere Districts being put in after Hoddles Creek won the toss.
The Gruyere Districts side got off to a slow but steady start but lost three quick wickets when the Wombats turned to the experience of Jeff Crew who immediately broke through with two wickets in a space of a few balls. At stumps, Gruyere Districts were 3/53.
The only other game to start was the match between Powelltown and Gruyere Districts in the RA Finger 2 grade at the Warburton Cricket Ground.
Gruyere Districts were 0/18 off five overs when rain finally caused play to be abandoned for the day.
The two finals continued on a fine, sunny and clear Sunday, which also allowed for a full day’s play in all matches.
In the Strachan Shield match at Woori Yallock after no play on Saturday, Mt Evelyn batted and were dismissed for a miserable score of 80, with only Shane Luck (27) providing any sign of resistance.
The Warburton-Millgrove attack was again led by Michael Walker who took 5/43. He was assisted by Luke Darwall (2/13) and Adam Humphrey (2/12).
In reply, Warburton-Millgrove are 4/42, not a great score for a final but a commanding position.
Kane Jones grabbed 2/8 and Mt Evelyn will be looking for an immediate breakthrough next Saturday.
In the DJSS Reserve final, Mt Evelyn were dismissed for 133 with Mal Darvell 39, Peter Kerr 27, Aaron Booth 16 being the main contributors, while Brad Chandler took 3/24, M Sawyer 2/5 and Tyson Carruthers 2/14.
In reply at stumps Healesville are 3 for 32 with Carruthers at the crease on 11 not out. Peter Kerr took all three wickets to fall for 9 runs.
In DJSS 3, Yarra Panthers were all out for 199 at the end of play on day 2 with Ross Fernando 83 not out, while for Seville Stuart Sculthorpe and Paul Dicello bowled long spells in excess of 30 overs taking 4/57 and 3/43 respectively.
In the DJSS 4 match at the Wandin Cricket Ground, Warburton-Millgrove scored 90 in their first innings with S. Muir on 20 while Mark Proctor followed his 5 wickets in the semi-final with 6 for 33.
Seville were then bundled out for just 56 (Brendan Hoffs 14). Stu Woods 4/23, R. Wynd 4/21 were the main destroyers. Warburton-Millgrove are 1/15 with a lead of 49.
In the RJ Finger Trophy final at Seville, Gruyere Districts were all out for 212 with Brett Young 76 while Simmonds bowled well to take 6/45. Hoddles Creek are 3/36, Matt Tilney taking 2/13.
In RAFT 2, Gruyere Districts reached 152 at Warburton – R. Gibson 31*, Gary McRorie 5/30. Powelltown in reply are 3/31.
In RAFT 3 at Seville 2 – Marysville batted first and were all out for just 75 (Paul Hilder 21) as Kinglake’s attack was led by David McMahon with 3/35 and Jarrod Heal 4/16. Kinglake, in reply, were bowled out for 147 – Dave Normington 44, McMahon 50, V. J. Hill 23. Chris Ronalds 4/26 and Paul Hilder 4/9 were Marysville’s best bowlers. Marysville are 0/7 in their second innings.