Korumburra comfortably handles potentially tricky chase against Nyora

• A Grade, Division 2

NYORA showed the confidence to bat first on away turf as their two-day semi final clash with Korumburra commenced on Saturday, setting a decent first innings target of 213, one which the Cobras achieved with six wickets in hand.

While Korumburra started its chase strongly due to the efforts of openers Harshika Fernando (39) and Tom Crocker (53), Nyora’s bowlers kept working diligently.

At one point they had the Cobras looking slightly shaky at 4/135 at the fall of Jason Richards’ wicket.

However, skipper and keeper Rumesh Rangana (47 not out) and Inshaka Siriwardena (46 not out) ensured there would be no further cause for alarm in the Korumburra dressing room.

Earlier, Siriwardena was just as productive when Korumburra bowled, claiming three Nyora wickets and allowing just 51 runs off 26 overs, taking the wicket of Nyora skipper Henry Dolphin (35).

Steven Hamill also impressed with the ball for eventual winner Korumburra capturing 3/53 from 21 overs, while Fernando excelled on his way to 2/37, also off 21 overs.

Fernando removed dangerous Nyora opener and keeper Kade Anderson who had impressed with a knock of 56 featuring seven boundaries and a maximum.

Jake Hackett (46) was another Demon batsman who helped give Nyora’s bowlers a target they could potentially defend.

He later took Crocker’s wicket, with Gavin Hackett, Dolphin and Jake Henry also managing one each, but the accomplished Korumburra batting line up proved too steady.

Unbeaten and top-of-the-ladder Korumburra faces its final hurdle in the form of MDU, which finished a distant third on the table.

While Korumburra starts as favourite, you never know what a deciding final might bring.

First Innings win does it for MDU against Phillip Island

WHILE runs proved tough to come by at Thompson Reserve, Meeniyan Dumbalk United found enough of them in its first innings to claim a spot in the final at Phillip Island’s expense.

The Sharks couldn’t capitalise on their decision to bat, making just 85 all out in their first dig, with Clint Wilson (21) Phillip Island’s top scorer.

MDU bowlers Mark and Ben Cantwell and Sam Bright combined to ruin the Phillip Island top order, with Scott Browne then chiming in with three wickets.

After MDU took a 21-run first innings lead, David Womersley scored 34 in the Sharks’ second innings, helping Phillip Island to an improved 7/125 (dec).

While that set MDU 105 runs for the outright win, with first innings success in the bag the Demons were never going to take a risk.

They ambled along to 2/48 off 37 overs before stumps were drawn.

While skittling MDU in its second innings was a tall ask, Phillip Island’s Kurt Lane gave his all with the ball, finishing with an excellent 1/6 from 12 overs.

Earlier, MDU’s Bright backed up his first innings exploits with 4/37 off 11 overs in Phillip Island’s second innings.

MDU will be going all out to upset top-of-the-table Korumburra in what should be an entertaining two days of cricket packed into the season’s final weekend.