Darcy English hits winning runs for Healesville

Healesville Cricket Club results. Picture: ON FILE

By Chris Handasyde

U12-4: Grand Final – Healesville 7/92 defeated by Mooroolbark 4/116

The top two teams for the season had won their semi-finals to play off in the Grand Final. Healesville won the toss and chose to bowl. An early wicket to Manny Winrow and the boys were excited, however good partnerships from Mooroolbark enabled them to score 4/116 from their 23 overs. Mika Kerst (1/14), Manny Winrow (1/10), Ryder Hudson (1/14) and Arthur Coleman (1/9) were the wicket-takers. With the target set it was Healesville’s turn to bat and they started well, however, lost their first wicket at the 16-run mark. Healesville lost another 2 wickets when on 31 then another 2 when on 42. The steady loss of wickets meant Healesville struggled to put on good partnerships to get them into a winning position as they landed on 7/92 from the 23 overs. Manny Winrow 20* from 27 balls, Louis Keath 18 from 16 balls and Arthur Coleman 17 from 31 balls all batted well. It’s been a great season and hope to see all players return next season for another fun season of cricket.

U16-4: Semi Final – Healesville 34 defeated by Wonga Park 0/41

Healesville won the toss and elected to bat and unfortunately winning the toss was the highlight of this match. Healesville was bowled out for 34 in 19 overs. Wonga Park then smacked up the runs in 7 overs without losing a wicket. With some of Healesville’s players finishing their junior cricket journey this was a disappointing last game for them but they should all take pride in their full junior cricket career and how they have represented the club and themselves over many junior cricket seasons.

Seniors 1st XI: Elimination Final – Healesville 3/132 defeated Lusatia Park 114

Lusatia Park won the toss and elected to bat on day 1 of a scorching hot weekend. Mitch Tampaline and Luke Chandler opened the bowling with Luke claiming the first wicket of the match when the score was on 8. A 30-run partnership was built before Mitch Tampaline got one out, caught by Mark Powell. Liam English snagged a wicket and Lusatia Park was 3/65. Josh Handasyde came on to bowl with immediate effect that then triggered a constant flow of wickets that saw Josh claim his first 5 wicket hall in an innings (5/14) in which 2 were caught by his brother Tom. Lusatia Park were bowled out for 114 in 47 overs. Rod Woodford was economical with 0/19 from 11 overs, Luke Chandler 2/23 and Mitch Tampaline 1/21 from 10 overs all bowled well in tough conditions. Mark Powell and Tom Handasyde opened the batting and put on a 50-run partnership before Tom was caught. Mark Powell was batting well before he was run out for 44 coming back for a second run. Josh Handasyde and Ash Hamer remained not out ending day 1 and Healesville were 2/69. Day 2 was just as hot, Ash Hamer departed early but Josh Handasyde 45* and Ryan Webster 25* steered the team home as they progressed to next week’s Semi-Final vs East Ringwood with Norwood having already booked their spot in the Grand Final in a fortnight.

Seniors 2nd XI: Elimination Final – Healesville 9/198 defeated Lilydale 196

What a match – Healesville home in a thriller as 15-year-old Darcy English makes 44* from 46 balls including 2 boundaries from his final two balls to get Healesville over the line.

Lilydale won the toss and batted first. Jack Drummond and Tom Dalley opened the bowling with Jack bowling his best spell for Healesville taking the first 4 wickets of the game to have Lilydale on the back foot at 4/30. A 50-run partnership was created before Mike Jackson claimed his first of 4 wickets. Some good partnerships and some fielding errors in the tough conditions hurt Healesville as Lilydale made 196. Jack Drummond 4/25 from 13 overs and Mike Jackson 4/31 from 13 overs were outstanding. On day two, Healesville were confident that if they weren’t bowled out we would make the runs. A disastrous start with Brenton Damrow and Max Wallace out and Healesville was 2/3. This then turned into 4/30 before some partnerships started to be built. The middle order of Mike Jackson 38, Michael Davern 39, and Ben Wallace 26 gave them hope. Darcy English came in to bat when Healesville were 6/133. His innings of 44* from 46 balls that included 8 boundaries proved to be match-winning as the tail battled to hang in. At 8/166, Tom Dalley and Darcy put on 24 runs before Tom was dismissed at 9/190. Brodie Grace who has been working hard on his batting all year faced two balls to see out the over. Darcy then took it upon himself to finish the match hitting two boundaries on the first two balls of the next over to get Healesville over the line and into next week’s Semi Final vs Wandin with St Andrews having already booked their spot in the Grand Final in a fortnight.

Seniors 3rd XI: Healesville vs Coldstream – Match Abandoned due to heat.

Unfortunately, Healesville’s 3rd XI have been booted out of the finals without a ball being bowled due to the stricter heat policy rules for lower grades.