Altona Roosters have become the latest in a long line of victims of star-studded Westmeadows, eliminated from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north-west A1 finals.
The Roosters were behind the eight ball after day one of the semi-final at Willowbrook Reserve when the Warriors amassed 254 off 75.2 overs.
Ashleigh Peters (4-34) and Chris Dine (4-32) worked hard against the tide for the Roosters, but the Warriors still found a way to a match-winning total.
The Roosters’ run chase was fruitless – they were all out for just 94 in 32 overs.
Dine top-scored for the Roosters with 20, capping off a strong individual game.
In senior division, Yarraville Club cruised into another grand final with a 120-run win against Keilor at Hansen Reserve. The Clubbers made 222, with James Damjanovski leading the way with a patient 79 and Johnathon Blake adding 52.
Keilor was bowled out for 102, with Clubbers bowlers Emmett Bronca (3-18) and Damjanovski (3-17) snaring three wickets apiece.
The Clubbers will meet Doutta Stars in the grand final.
The Stars disposed of Seddon by six wickets. Seddon was always going to struggle after posting just 127.
It took the Stars 73 overs to reach the target, but they eventually got there.
In north-west division, the weekend was disappointing for Druids and Altona North.
Druids, the minor premiers, were knocked out by fourth-ranked Haig Fawkner in a two-wicket loss. Druids posted 9-215 declared, with Haig Fawkner passing the target in the 75th over.
Altona North was bitterly disappointing in a 153-run loss to Sunshine United. Set 222, North was bowled out for just 68 in 40 overs.
In west A1, Williamstown Congs were eliminated in the cruellest manner – as the lower ranked team following a tie with Grand United. The Congs made 202 and all that United had to do to book its place in the grand final was to match it, which it did.
Gellibrand was eliminated in a heavy defeat to Seabrook.
In north-west B1, Williamstown CYMS earned a grand final spot in a 47-run win over St Andrews Pascoe Vale.
Ben Gorton, with 87 of CYs’ 209, and Tarique Jeffrey, with 6-30 that had the Saints all out for 162, were the keys to the victory.
CYs will face Deer Park in the grand final.
Lance Jenkinson
