Sharks and Diggers push out the ladder leaders

A Grade, Division 1

IN A semi-final weekend full of upsets, OMK and Phillip Island have landed the coveted A1 grand final spots for the 2024/25 season.

A strong season from Nerrena saw it finish the season on top of the ladder and four games clear of fourth-placed OMK.

The two teams battled it out in the first semi-final at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve over the weekend.

Nerrena won the toss and chose to bat first.

Jack Curtis opened well with 30 runs, but Hayden Funnell and Tadgh Gannon were both dismissed for ducks at the hands of Travis Pickering.

Thomas Cameron, Mitchell Clark and Timothy Wightman tried to turn the match around with 18, 15 and 27 runs respectively, but the pressure was too great for the bottom half of the batting order and wickets fell to Pickering, Jacob Lamers and Peter Dell.

Pickering was OMK’s best bowler of the day, taking 5/44.

Four wickets were claimed by Jacob Lamers.

Nerrena was bowled out 10/111, which proved to be a gettable target for OMK.

It was a gradual warmup for OMK, but as it gained momentum, it delivered the score it needed to earn a ticket to the grand final.

Batting at second drop, captain Koby Brann got the ball rolling with 24 runs.

Jacob and Zavier Lamers added 28 and 23 runs respectively, and Thomas Wyatt top-scored with 37 runs.

Nerrena’s bowling honours were shared between Josh Trease and Wightman, who claimed 3/44 and 3/56 respectively.

Jarrod Hoy and Archie Gannon took two wickets each.

However, they ultimately couldn’t hold OMK back and the Diggers stole the win with a final score of 10/176.

Island stuns Club to steal Grand Final spot

OVER at the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, another upset was taking place between Wonthaggi Club and Phillip Island.

Club had ended the season second on the ladder, a game clear of Phillip Island.

However, it would be Phillip Island who would secure a first-innings win in the second semi-final. 

Phillip Island won the toss and made the wise decision of sending Club in first.

A rough start saw the first five batsmen quickly dismissed, the score sitting at a worrying 5/14.

Jakeb Thomas and Gavin Britt tried to give Club the boost it needed with 35 and 34 runs respectively.

However, another 25 runs from Fraser West was the only other significant score of the innings.

Phillip Island’s high-pressure bowling was the work of Timothy Niven and Max Royal, who took 4/25 and 4/39 respectively.  

Club was all out with a score of 10/120.

Phillip Island launched into its innings with opening batsman and man-of-the-match Lachlan Cleeland making 33 runs.

Captain Daniel Mock led his team to the first innings win with 57 runs, as Club’s bowling prowess overpowered the rest of the batting order.

Club captain Koby Brann claimed 5/26 and West and Mark McCall took two wickets each.

Phillip Island finished with 10/144.

Club played its second innings, with Mitch Thomas and Alexander Geyer opening.

Thomas made 15 runs before he was caught by Royal off the bowling of George McCausland, and Geyer was caught by Jarrod Black off the bowling of Niven for nine runs.

The partnership of Brann and Ryan Thomas allowed Club to gain some traction.

Brann made 52 runs before his wicket fell to Royal and Ryan Thomas was not out at the end of the innings with 48 runs.

Another 15 runs was contributed by Jakeb Thomas.

Club quickly amassed 5/152 within 18 overs and believed it could bowl out Phillip Island so opted to declare.

Cleeland opened Phillip Island’s second innings and was there to stay, ensuring Phillip Island would progress to the grand final.

Cleeland made 38 not out, which was the only significant score Phillip Island produced throughout the second innings.

Club pulled out all the stops to bowl out Phillip Island, with Brann and Jakeb Thomas taking two wickets each and singles claimed by James Sheerin and West.

However, Phillip Island managed to fend off Club’s attack long enough and was 6/64 at stumps.

The final clash between Phillip Island and OMK will be played out this weekend at the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve.