By Chris Handasyde
Seniors 1st XI: Semi Final – Healesville 154 defeated by East Ringwood 8/156
Playing at East Ringwood, Healesville lost the toss and was sent into bat. A horror start had openers Tom Handasyde and Mark Powell sitting back in the pavilion for ducks. This situation got worse as the top 5 batters all got out cheaply with the score on a measly 5/22. Luke Chandler and Rod Woodford started a rebuild but Rod joined his team mates in the pavilion on 10 and the score was 6/45. Kris Anderson and Luke Chandler put on 56 and got the score to 101 before Kris was out for 33. Luke was batting well but running out of partners as the tail fought on for a long as possible before they were knocked over for 154 with Luke Chandler remaining not out on 60. With 23 overs remaining on day 1, Healesville needed early wickets and an early wicket to Rod Woodford and Mitch Tampaline had East Ringwood 2/9. They steadied to be 2/35 overnight. Needing to bowl them out, Healesville struggled to get the third wicket but Rod Woodford captured an LBW that had them 3/60 which then turned into 5/70 real quick. A 38-run partnership followed by a 43-run partnership got them to 7/151. Another wicket and East Ringwood were nervous at 8/151. However, the lack of runs proved the difference as East Ringwood passed Healesville and knocked the Bloods out of the finals, though the side fought hard and never gave up which was pleasing.
Seniors 2nd XI: Semi Final – Healesville 9/284 defeated Wandin 238
Healesville batted first and got off to a solid start with Brenton Damrow 34 and Max Wallace 38. Jonny Heywood showed his class with 90 and the same safe reliable batting from Ben Wallace 17, Scott Fawdry 26, Darcy English 27 ensured partnerships were built and the score continued to build. Some good late hitting from Tom Dalley 23* off 21 balls who was well supported by Brodie Grace 6* with the 2 putting on 30 runs and lasting to the 80 over mark gave Healesville a decent score to defend. Tom Dalley and Jack Drummond opened the bowling and both captured a wicket to have Wandin 2/33. Some good partnerships from Wandin were offset by tight run-restricting bowling and the odd wicket which kept the advantage to Healesville. Brenton Damrow captured 4/52 from 21 overs and 6 other bowlers all got a wicket each as we bowled Wandin out for 238. This has now booked Healesville into the Grand Final versus St Andrews next week.
Junior Presentation Night – Friday 22 March 5.30pm at Queens Park
Senior Presentation Night – Friday 19 April 6pm at Healesville RSL
