By Callum Ludwig
The RDCA 2021/22 cricket season is winding to a close and Healesville, Yarra Glen, and Coldstream have all had successful sides competing in finals.
Healesville’s 1st XI narrowly missed out on a finals berth by a single win in the Steve Pascoe Shield, finishing in fifth. A crucial loss to Heathwood in round 12 proved to be their downfall, as the aforementioned side snuck into fourth.
The Healesville 2nd XI had a tough season finishing bottom of the pack in eighth in the Don Smith Shield, while Coldstream’s 1st XI finished 2nd only on percentage. Coldstream defeated Hoddles Creek in the semi-final and now faces ladder leader Ainslie Park in the Grand Final on Saturday 12 March.
Had Yarra Glen’s 1st XI avoided a tied match and claimed victory they may well have finished 1st in the Ann Pascoe Shield, settling for 2nd. They did defeat St Andrews in the semi-final, however, and now await a clash with Seville in the Grand Final.
One loss was devastating for Coldstream’s 2nd XI as they missed out on finals to St Andrews, ending up fifth in the Adrian Hammond Shield.
Healesville, Marysville, and Yarra Glen all had teams who competed in the modified competitions, which allow 13 players on a team and split-innings games. Healesville’s 3rd XI finished fifth in the Ian Dench Shield ending their season.
Yarra Glen’s 2nd XI finished rock bottom in the Greg Mitchell Shield, while Healesville’s 4th XI scraped into fourth place to be Healesville’s only finals hope.
They claimed an upset victory over minor premiers Marysville to cement a spot in the Grand Final against Powelltown on Saturday 12 March.
