Altona North is through to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield grand final, but Altona Roosters fell short on Sunday.
A dream Altona final was on the cards for much of the season, but it wasn’t to be the case in the end.
Altona North chairman of selectors Ian Denny said it had been a number of hard years work that had gotten them to this position.
“We’ve worked hard on a few things and it’s finally coming to fruition.
We’ve had a successful year from a club performance and a team performance.”
Denny said they took a lot out of their T20 championship win into the proper season.
Altona North won through with a semi final win against the Doutta Stars.
Altona North made 258 as it was bowled out with four balls remaining.
President Andrew Auciello top scored with 70, while skipper Luke Rainone made 61 with the pair putting on more than 100 for the sixth wicket partnership.
Denny said half way through the innings they would have taken that score after being in trouble early.
“We were slow early, but we had wickets in hand and had a bit of a flurry at the end.
“It strength of the club. Everyone takes turn, someone will step up .
“It was leadership at the best.”
The Stars had a solid start with the bat and at 3-109 still had plenty of batting in the shed.
They were able to put together a couple of good partnerships to push the score towards 200.
A late order collapse saw the Stars lose 5-25 to be bowled out for 198.
Denny said they batted well, but their bowlers were able to break through.
He said Thomas Taylor bowled a 12-13 over spell to turn the game.
Taylor took four wickets for Altona North.
Sunshine awaits it in the grand final after beating the Roosters.
Denny said they would have to stick to their plans in the grand final.
On Saturday, the Roosters won the toss and sent the Crows in on a warm day.
It was a tough day in the field for the Roosters, as all five Crows batters got set and put on the runs.
They finished their 80 overs at 4-343.
Dilip Tharaka top scored with 105, while Troy Stone, Charith Fernando and Avishka Chenuka also got half centuries.
Dishnaka Manoj took three wickets for the Roosters.
The Roosters started their run chase well and were 0-52.
Once the wickets started to fall they continued to fall. They ended up being bowled out for 175.
Suresh Fernando top scored with 67 at the top of the order.
Dilip Tharaka backed up his performance with the bat, finishing with 6-35.
Meanwhile, previously undefeated Williamstown Imperials were upset by Maribyrnong Park St Marys ending their season.
The Imperials were looking for a second straight premiership, having won the division 3 title last season.
The Lions were sent in on Saturday and managed to make 163 before being bowled out in the 69th over.
Jonathan Grant top scored with 27 at the top of the order, while Daniel Umbers made a handy 24 not out at number 11.
Imperials skipper Andrew Hendry took 4-47 for his side.
The Imperials were 2-31 at stumps on Saturday night.
It was a solid start for the Imperials on day two as they moved to 2-60 before the wickets started to fall.
At 4-111 they were still in control. Callum Herron, who top scored with 36 fell at that stage and then the wickets kept falling.
The Imperials lost 6-21 to be all out for 132.
