Yarraville Club recovered from an early stumble to win through to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior grand final which is shaping up as one of the best in local cricket.
The Clubbers accounted for Airport West St Christophers on Sunday, who were aiming to be the third straight side to come up from division 1 and make the senior grand final.
It sets up a grand final with Deer Park, which had a big win against Sydenham-Hillside in the other semi final.
Clubbers captain-coach Mitch Johnstone said the amount of talent that will be on show is just crazy.
“It’s good to get the result, we deserve to be there,” he said. “We were confident throughout the year.
“I don’t think a local cricket final has had this much talent. We have six guys who have played first class or list A cricket, Deer Park would have even more.
“This will be as high a standard as premier first XI finals, if not even higher.”
Early on in the semi finals, the Clubbers didn’t look like they would be into the grand final.
Johnstone said it was a good thing no one was able to read his mind.
“We were 3-11 and I was thinking that we had wasted a season here,” he said. “But we’d been in that situation a couple of times, but not as bad.
“We had been 3-50 and got big totals. Michael Hill, who I think is the best batter in the competition, and Nandhalal Sangaran both batted brilliantly.”
The pair both made 100s, with Hill making 126 and Sangaran finishing 119 not out to put the Clubbers on top.
Trent Lawford then came in after tea, making 60 off 38 balls, to push the side to 8-345.
Johnstone said that was the perfect scenario for Lawford and use his power game.
On day two, the Clubbers had Airport West St Christophers in trouble at 5-96 and looked like they would knock them over cheaply.
The Eagles fought hard before being bowled out for 217.
Johnstone said with victory looking likely, they didn’t push it in the field and bowling.
“Matt Doric has a bit of a niggle so we didn’t bowl him,” he said. “We played around with some combos.
“We didn’t want to take any risks ahead of the grand final.”
Johnstone took four wickets for the Clubbers, while Ash Sweet took three.
The Clubbers will host the four-day grand final the next two weekends.
Johnstone said they were yet to lose at home this season which would give them plenty of confidence.
Both sides will be going for their second premiership within three seasons.
“Both sides deserve to be there,” he said. “Finals cricket, with a four-day grand final you need to have a bit of luck and hopefully it is in our favour.”
