Cobras take down the minor premiers

• C Grade, Division 1

INVERLOCH finished atop the C grade division one ladder and earned themselves a home Semi Final, in which they welcomed the fourth placed Korumburra to battle it out for a chance to make the big one. 

The Cobras won the toss and chose to bat first and were under early pressure, losing Patrick Beadel for a measly three as young gun Ty Debono (1/13 from 8) put together a brilliant opening spell. 

Luckily though for the ‘Burra side, their number two and three in Jacob Wrigley (17) and Cameron Smith (80) were able to see them out of early trouble. 

Even when Wrigley fell, Smith continued on, and his sensational half century proved to be a match defining one. 

He lost partners along the way, before putting together a healthy 64-run stand with his skipper Tim Morrison (21*) who remained unbeaten until the end, seeing his side to 6/157 after their 40 overs. 

In reply, the powerful Stingrays batting line up got off to a solid start, reaching 36 before David Harris (16) was run out. 

Isaac Seuren (29) then joined his captain Warren Stewart (50) at the crease as they went about completing the run chase in blustery and hot conditions. 

As they were in the midst of doing so though, Stewart was struck down by injury and requested to retire hurt, bringing great controversy to all-important Semi. 

The Cobras called back the Invy’ skipper, telling him he is allowed a runner, although just as one was sent out in full gear, they demanded it be the dismissed batter instead.

After a nearly 20-minute ordeal the game continued, and Stewart, now batting with Harris as his runner, fought on with Seuren and the pair put on a courageous 66-run stand before Seuren was caught. 

This bought the ever-dangerous Jason Dennerley to the crease, but he stunningly fell straight away, edging onto his stumps as the Cobras celebrated ecstatically.

Soon after, things got worse for the minor premiers as Mathew Olden (3/20 from 7) clean bowled Stewart, after the Stingrays captain made an extremely courageous and tough half century, the dismissal ended what was a remarkable season for him, finishing with an average of 151!

With his side now 4/114, Inverloch batter Jack Rowe pulled out some cracking shots to give the Invy’ boys a red hot chance but in the end, Korumburra were good enough with the ball and in the field to hold on for a famous victory. 

The Cobras will now face Phillip Island in the Grand Final, to be played at the Outtrim Recreational Oval this Saturday from 11am. 

Sirirathnage causes Cougar carnage in Island win

THE second placed Phillip Island welcomed Koonwarra L/RSL over the bridge to Reece Plumbing Park and it was the visitors who won the toss and chose to bat first. 

Sachin Sirirathnage (4/19) and Peter Francis (3/22 from 8) caused carnage to the Koony’ top order, stopping them in their tracks taking a combined 7/17!

This incredible bowling patch had the visitors reeling at 7/41, and the run out of Rhett Collins made it 8/58 soon after. 

Through all of this though, Brodie Cary (44 from 43) stood tall at number six, and his 45-run stand with Blake Smith (8) proved vital to finishing with a score over the century mark (10/109). 

In reply, the Island took to completing what was a relatively easy chase on their home deck, and showed it to be just that, knocking off the 110-run target without losing a single wicket.

John Manning (66* from 108) was superb in the 112-run partnership with Gavin Excell (32* from 88).

Blake Smith (0/3 from 5) was great with the ball in the loss. 

Phillip Island now head to Outtrim to take on Korumburra in the C grade division one Grand Final. 

• C Grade, Division 2

Strybosch knock sets up Town win over Glen Alvie

TRAVIS Strybosch played a key part in taking Leongatha Town into the C2 decider, scoring 95, then dismissing top-scoring Glen Alvie opener Ryan Luke for 79.

“Travis played an exceptional game and it was a bit disappointing he couldn’t get his maiden century,” Leongatha president Cam Dowling said, noting Strybosch was the difference in the match.

Leongatha Town chose to bat first in the familiar setting of Scorpion Park, with a number of contributors supporting Strybosch.

Keeper and opener Nigel Hodges was the best of those, with 43, while Yuthil Ratnaike made 34 and Max Carter finished unbeaten on 25.

The Scorpions set Glen Alvie an imposing 258 for a grand final spot, with Leongatha Town’s bowlers then comfortably accounting for most of the Glen Alvie batting line up.

Wayne Bridle (20) was the beaten side’s next highest scorer behind Luke.

Ratnaike backed up his solid effort with the willow to capture 3/27 off his eight overs of medium pace, weaving a spell on the Glen Alvie middle order.

President Dowling importantly removed Glen Alvie top order players Raphael Spiteri-Stevens (13) and Bridle (20) just as they appeared set.

Medium pacer Dowling finished with 2/33 from his eight overs.

Carter helped polish off the Glen Alvie tail, with his off spin claiming 3/10 from just under three overs.

Leongatha Town now meets OMK in the final at Nerrena Recreation Reserve.

OMK bowlers make Sorensen innings count

ANDREW Sorensen was the chief architect of Outtrim Moyarra Kongwak’s strong response after being sent in by visitor Kilcunda Bass, making a fast-paced 101.

That helped OMK set the Sharks a tough 223 for a spot in the final, something the Kilcunda Bass openers gave them every chance of accomplishing.

Sharks skipper Ashley Joseph (54) and opening partner Steven Oates (42) scored at a healthy pace, with Joseph striking 10 boundaries.

However, when Jordan Myors caught and bowled Oates a transformation came over the game, with OMK’s bowlers soon in complete control.

Kamal Anand (9) was the Sharks’ highest scorer other than the openers, with a stunning six members of the Kilcunda Bass batting lineup falling for ducks as the side was skittled for 117.

Cagey swing bowler George Lomagno was a damaging force with ball in hand for OMK, wreaking havoc on the Kilcunda Bass top and middle orders and taking 4/18 off eight overs.

OMK faces an intriguing challenge against Leongatha Town in Saturday’s final.