Tara Murray
A focus on rebuilding the club the last few seasons has paid off for Footscray Angliss in Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 5.
After winning the division 3 title in 2017, the club has gone on a journey with a number of changes to get back to where it is now.
Now with two teams in the grand final, the excitement level at the club has continued to grow.
Angliss president Michael Cox said was left speechless after watching both their first and second XIs winning through to the decider on Sunday.
“We had high hopes at the start of the season,” he said. “We’ve been on a bit of a journey and it’s pretty exciting for the club.
“We recruited really well and the guys have really brought in. Our captains Daniel Janka and Matthew Frendo have done really well.
“We’re really proud of everyone.”
The first XI faced Sanctuary Lakes in its semi final on Saturday and Sunday.
Cox said the side had taken plenty of confidence into the match having won outright in the final round of the season.
“It was a really strong way to finish the season and go to the top of the ladder,” he said.
“It meant a home semi final and potentially a home grand final and that really revved the boys up.
“The boys were all up for it and had plenty of energy.”
Angliss won the toss and decided to bat, making 243, bowled out in the 74th over.
David Khera top scored with 87 coming in at number eight, while Lachlan Broadway scored 62.
Cox said he thought that was a really competitive score.
He said getting a wicket late on day one put them on top heading into Sunday.
Angliss’ bowlers then did the job on day two, bowling the Sharks out for 118 in 44 overs.
Cox said it was a really good team performance.
“To keep them to 118 was a really good effort,” he said.
“All the guys bowled really well as a unit. No one got a 5fa or stood out. Jarrod Eccles didn’t get any wickets, but he kept the pressure on.
“They did really well, it was a good team effort.”
Once the match was finished, the first XI were on the phones watching the rest of the second XI match.
The second XI beat Melton South Royals by five runs.
The first XI will face East Coburg in the grand final. East Coburg snuck home against the Melton South Royals in their semi final.
Cox is hoping for a repeat performance from the semi final.
“We played them earlier in the year and we lost by six or eight wickets,” he said.
“We only got 130. They bowled really well and we didn’t take our chances with the ball. We have a bit of hard work to do.”
In division 4, both Williamstown Colts and Gellibrand were knocked out.
The Colts were bowled out for 57 in reply to Moonee Valley’s 7-302, while Gellibrand was out for 100 chasing 242.
