Teams pitch for finals berth

By Keith Thompson
WITH just two rounds to go before the finals a number of matches this round will play a large part in the make up of finals fours.
In Strachan Shield, Warburton Millgrove in fifth place hosted Mt Evelyn, second, just seven points ahead. Warburton Millgrove batting first were dismissed for a lowly 89 with Chris Anderson 4/24 and Paul Miutescu 3/4 doing the damage. In reply at stumps Mt Evelyn were 6/108 with Kane Jones on 48 the leading run scorer and Michael Walker 3/37.
Coldstream travelled to Wandin and batted first reaching 187 all out – Liam Doughty on 85, Wayne Ross 4/66 and Steve McIntyre 3/44. Coldstream could still make the four should everything fall into place for them.
Seville bounced back after a poor performance in the last round with a score of 244 all out – Scot Page on 53 and Leigh Aitkins on 48. Andrew Sharp with 5/39 was by far the best bowler for Woori Yallock who still had to bat.
Yarra Junction played at home to ladder leader Healesville and on batting first was dismissed for 183 – J. Rogers on 43 and D. Lever on 37. Glen Newbury bowled his team to a strong position with 6/66. Healesville were 0/5 at stumps.
In the Strachan Shield Reserve grade, Silvan travelled to Coldstream and bowled well to have the opposition all out for 174 – Michael Larder on 54 and K. Wallace on 35. Mick Sullivan bowled well for Silvan taking 8/71. Silvan will bat next week.
Woori Yallock at home to neighbour Seville reached 121 late in the day with Seville’s bowlers sharing the wickets with Paul Dicello on 3/10 and Andrew Dipietro on 3/16 the best. At stumps Seville were 0/22.
Healesville were all out for 121 against Yarra Junction with Norm Spakman taking 3/35 to Yarra Junction 1/40.
In D. J. Strachan Shield 3, top side Launch United have a score to chase as Wandin reached 268 – Dan Coppens on 56, Paul Long on 41 and Colin Voight 4/36.
In the Finger Trophy, Powelltown put 8/261cc on the board – Brett Mitchell 105 not out and Bill Simpson 50 leading the way. Aura Vale will have to bat well next week to reach this total.
Launching Place 129 all out – Stuart Parker 40, Jessie Ridd 4/33, were passed by Hoddles Creek 4/132, Bren Derix 40 and S. Thompson 3/36.
Gruyere District are 3/39 in reply to Yarra Glen’s 156 – Luke Sarre on 3/37, Dave Riddell 3/39. Yarra Glen’s D. Wissell on 44 was best with the bat.
In the match of the mountain teams, Kinglake were 4/104 at stumps in reply to Marysville’s 138. In the Marysville innings, B. Stewart on 81 led the way as did Ben Munn-Gibbs with 5/30 with the ball. Bren Styles with 34 is the leading run scorer in Kinglake innings so far.