By PETER DOUGLAS AND CHRIS ANDERSON
WOORI Yallock is celebrating back-to-back D.J. Strachan Shield victories in the Yarra Valley Cricket Association after disposing of a brave Healesville on Sunday 20 March.
In what has been another pristine year for the talented Tigers’ line-up, the big-guns helped get the job done on a large, slow and rain-affected oval at Coldstream.
Unfortunately for Healesville, the victory puts end to what would have been a fairytale victory for the Bloods.
The grand final represented the first chance at premiership glory in around 30 years, as well as a fantastic turn-around after coming from the bottom of the ladder in recent seasons.
On a slow track, Healesville batted first and managed to patiently notch up a respectable score of all-out for 143.
However, even after overnight rain on the Saturday, the Tigers’ star batsmen shone on the big stage.
Run machine Dan Mock compiled 43 while Ryan Smith, 50, helped to chase down the runs.
For the Bloods, Dermott Fry gave his all, grabbing 4/43 from 24 overs.
The Tigers passed the target in the 70th over, with seven wickets down, sparking celebrations as the classy outfit claimed their second premiership in as many seasons.
D.J. STRACHAN SHIELD
Woori Yallock 7/144 (R. Smith 50, D. Mock 43, D. Fry 4/43, B. Scanlon 2/22) d Healesville 10/143 (S. Wilson 57, A. Violi 26, B. Hayes 4/49, S. Young 3/28).
R.A. FINGER TROPHY
Coldstream 10/110 (S. Phillips 39 not out, B Walsh 25, L. Pickett 21, M. Tinley 6/41, G. Sweeten 2/22, R. Prouse 1/24) and 0/8 (L. Pickett 3 not out, H. Bean 1 not out) d Gruyere 10/78 (R. Prouse 14, M. Palma 5/26, D. Whelan 4/17, H. Bean 1/11) and 6/122 dec. (L. Aitken 83 not out, G. Sweeten 16, D. Whelan 5/48, H. Bean 1/30).
C GRADE
Yarra Glen 10/199 (T. Davey 56, M. Clare 39, L. Winter-Annette 5/58) d Launching Place 10/143 (C. Hoare 39, J. Orren 4/40).
D GRADE
Coldstream 9/182 (A. Cummins 50, P. McArdle 30, M. Pezzimenti 19, C. Steele 16, S. Bethell 15, L. Long 4/65, N. Dowdell 2/36) d Yarra Junction 9/96 (P. Osbourne 39, C. Long 18, C. Dikschei 4/14, A. Cummins 2/14, P. McArdle 1/6, L. Mitchell 1/12, M. Pezzimenti 1/15).
ONE DAY GRADE
Seville 9/167 (R. Pearse 50 not out, O. Kroeger 30 not out, B. Cronkshaw 2/10) d Mount Evelyn 10/150 (J. Mills 41 not out, T. Hancock 34, A. Knight 2/20, A. Bottrell 2/20, M. Hirst 2/22).
UNDER 16
Yarra Glen 9/148 (L. Coulson 41, L. Evans 29, C. Parker 3/32, D. Vaux 2/24) drew Launching Place/Wandin 2/37 (Yarra Glen declared premier due to higher ladder position).
UNDER 14
Yarra Junction/Hoddles Creek 7/131 (Liam O’Dea 29, Jai Ketelaar 22, Luke Allisey 19, Cooper Holmes 15, Chris Newell 2/19, Blake Olcorn 2/21) d Warburton/Millgrove 10/108 (Angus Nelson 44 not out, Chris Newell 24, Declan O’Dea 2/8, Caleb Hrabe 2/14, Liam O’Dea 2/19).
UNDER 12A
Healesville Red 4/81 dec. drew Warburton-Millgrove 4/46 (Warburton-Millgrove declared premier due to higher ladder position).
