South Warrandyte Finals Preview

South Warrandyte has 3 teams in the finals this week after our Vets Div 1 side claimed the GF win last week.  This Saturday, our:
- 1s play Seville at the home of cricket (Colman Park);
- 3s play a Grand Final against the Kilsyth 3rd X1 at Wonga Park; and
- U/16s finals campaign begins at home on Saturday morning against Chirnside Park.
 

1st XI
 
Our lads had been flying until last week, with 4 consecutive scores of over 200 in the final weeks of the season. Andy Solomons has obviously led the charge with 575 runs striking at 150 this year, and he will be licking his lips at the prospect of playing Seville again, with a ton and a 22-ball 80* against them. A large part in the 1s great form in the second half of the season has been on the back of the returns from injury of Thomas Peter-Budge and Darcy Price. A solid start will be key to allowing the likes of Exley, Clark and Solomons to play their shots. The lower order has been getting it done in recent weeks also with Ben Ahern, Al Price and Luke McIlroy all having been part of match-winning partnerships in recent weeks.

The bowling side of the game was the concern last week, with boys conceding 236 in unfavourable conditions in the big loss at Kilsyth. Regular partnership breaker Josh Exley stepped in to claim the first wicket at 98, but the damage was already done. The return of 6-time Indoor Cricket World Cup representative “Uncle” Kamal Kuruppu from an untimely Covid stint will be a boost. Daniel Gibbs, Ex and Andy have been taking wickets for fun all season and will be looking for early dismissals of Mt Evelyn A’s dangerous experienced trio of Jones, Lever and Woods.

The boys went 1 and 1 against Seville during the season and, with Seville’s deep bowling lineup, it is sure to be a cracking game.
 

3rd XI
 
Our young group is going for back to back premierships after finishing top this year! Playing the 2nd placed Kilsyth 3rd XI will be no easy task, with the Red-Backs having a fantastic season at all levels after struggling for the past few years.

The 3s are on top due to their contingent of young bowlers, with Cayden Skein and Lachie Vozzo topping the grade for wickets. They are ably supported by the pace of emerging quick Matthew Haysom, as well as Sean Doyle, Joel Holewa, hat-trick man Tarrant “Big Moose” Hine and Chris Edwards.

Speaking of Chris Edwards, he now has 6 scores of 44 plus in a row! A mate of Ben Ahern, the experienced cricketer appeared mid-season, and he is a seriously good cricketer. With Turbo and Joel returning from 2s duty, and captain Hanno slog sweeping them up the top, it’s a powerful batting lineup. Young players Cads, Kane Church, Declan Mulqueen, Tarrant Hine and Matty Haysom have all made good contributions this season as well.

Kilsyth has a couple of experienced in-form bats as well, in Woolhouse, Downie and Cook, and will be ready to fire after going down to us in our only meeting this year.
 

U/16s Semi-Final Preview
 
Our juniors are also looking to go back-to-back after being on top all season. They’ve got a super even side, and many will be looking to win 2 flags in the next week as they strive for that 3s flag.
First season wonder Tarrant Hine and Matty Haysom will do look to do some damage with the bat in their allotted 25 balls, but watch for the techniques of the rapidly improving Oscar Pragnaratne, Jonas Phillips and Liam Watts.
Haysom’s and Tom Fayle’s pace makes them strike bowlers, with Mason Emery left armers also proving very difficult to hit. Watch out for Trivia Night contest winner Liam Carstens, who has 12 wickets at an average of 7 this year. Liam Watts, Luke Dossetter, Oli Peterson and equal leading wicket-taker Harrison Findlay round out a deep bowling lineup.
The wild card is the return of Yarra 1st XI player Tom Fayle for the finals. Tom made his 2nd XI senior debut this season, and he can bat, bowl and field. Some say he’s already surpassed older brother James!
The future is bright as we look forward to watching the boys at home before the season signs off.