By Chris Handasyde
Under 12-9 Grand Final – Healesville 6/114 defeated Yarra Junction 6/112– by Adam Keath
Travelling to Yarra Junction to challenge the minor premiers in the big dance, the Healesville boys were full of confidence and pride in what they had already achieved for the year, a win would be the cherry on top. Winning the toss and electing to bat, the innings started well with Louis Keath (15) hitting a four off the first ball. Combining with Gus Morcombe the opening partnership got Healesville to 20 in three overs, both falling in the next over, bringing Ryder Hudson (11*) and Manny Winrow (9*) to the crease continuing with positive intent. All the boys piled the pressure on the field running everything and thus forcing errors. Ahren Wicker (9*), James Howden (13*) and Cruz Augello (9*) scored well off the bat, but the last two overs from Declan Kruize and Jackson Lehman running on everything lifted an ok score of 103 to a defendable 6/114.
Yarra Junction’s bowling attack was led by Key Van De Maat (2/8) and Luke Dark (3/9), while Noah Joseph (0/5), Alexander Mason (0/9) and Jordan Thornton (0/9) also kept the run rate down.
Things started well for Healesville with Louis Keath (1/8) taking a wicket on the second ball of the innings and then some tight bowling from Finn Coleman (1/6), Tom Quaggin (1/10), Arthur Coleman (0/12), M Winrow (2/5), Declan Kruize (0/6) and Ryder Hudson (1/8) left Yarra Junction needing 9 runs to win off the last over. Ahren Wicker was thrown the ball and kept the scoring to only 4 off the first five balls, leaving Junction needing a four off the final ball to draw the game, good fielding kept it to a 2 giving Healesville a two run victory and the privilege of returning to Queens Park with the cup.
Jordan Thornton did everything in his power to try and will Yarra Junction over the line with an unbeaten 40 runs off of only 15 balls, while Charlie Guerin (13*), Kye Van De Maat (12*) and Wil Joseph (10*) were also solid contributors.
Under 12-4 Grand Final – Healesville 5/99 defeated Chirnside Park 6/98
On a fabulous evening at Queens Park with a great crowd in attendance, Chirnside Park batted first and was off to a flying start with F Johnson 29* and R Nair 25* both retiring. However, the Healesville bowlers and fielders fought back to restrict the scoring and take 6 wickets leaving Chirnside on 6/98. The Healesville bowlers to get a wicket were Raff Morcombe 2/5, A Hempel 1/8, B Hunter 1/4, E Gotch 1/14 and M Forbes 1/9. Chasing a score in a Grand Final is never easy and when Henry Harding departed for 4, Healesville was 1/6 and the confidence in the Chirnside Park team was growing. Summer Caldicott was determined to not get out and retired on 5*. Raff Morcombe made 22 from 14 balls but was bowled by Hayley Wyngaard who was bowling fast. Taylor Caldicott hit 2 boundaries in his 20* off 16 balls. Healesville was edging closer to the required total but Chirnside kept fighting hard. Monty Forbes made 12* from 15 balls that included 2 boundaries and was supported by B Hunter 4* and Healesville passed the required total with 13 balls to spare. A great game of junior cricket.
Under 14 Grand Final – Healesville 2/113 defeated Mount Evelyn 110
Not an ideal start to a Grand Final when we turned up to Don Road Sporting complex to find the ground unplayable. We then headed to Yarra Junction but football practice matches were scheduled for that ground so some quick phone calls lead the convoy of cars carrying the U14 players to Gruyere. The game eventually started by 10am with Healesville batting first. Cooper Bell departed early but Sam Keath 38*, Eli Prentice 25* and Patrick Leonard 17* steadied the innings at the 20-over mark of this split innings match. Mt Evelyn then batted for 9 overs on Saturday and continued on Sunday and was dismissed for 110 in the 39th over. Darcy English 4/5 and Eli Prentice 3/18 were the standout bowlers. Needing less than 30 runs to claim victory Healesville was not troubled and passed the score in the 26th over.
Under 16 Grand Final – Healesville 135 defeated by Hoddles Creek/Wandin 8/160
In a split innings match Healesville batted first and although the reliable Lucas Parker (5) departed early the top order was stable with Denzel Parson 15*, Blake Rallis 25, Sam Drummond 21 and Riley Cameron 21 all playing well. Hoddles Creek/Wandin batted in the second half of Saturday morning and the first half of Sunday morning and built a score of 8/160 due to some great batting from the Lyons brothers (George Lyons 60* and Oscar Lyons 35*). Meagan Schelfhout continued her great season with 2/26 and Riley Cameron 3/27 bowled well. Healesville required 80 from 25 overs with 8 wickets in hand but wickets fell constantly and Healesville was bowled out for 135.
