Tara Murray
Footscray’s season is over in Victorian Premier Cricket after a large run chase fell just short in Sunday’s semi final.
In a weekend of finals on both Saturday and Sunday, the Bulldogs fell 28 runs on Sunday of short of making it through to the final four.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs accounted for Essendon in an elimination final.
The Bombers were bowled out for 225 with three balls remaining, with Farzan Chowna top scoring with 59.
Max Birthisel was the pick of the bowlers taking 5-37 off 9.3 overs.
The Bulldogs’ run chase didn’t get off to the best start, with Dylan Brasher out for just three.
The experienced top order responded and they ended up making the runs with ease.
The Bulldogs finished 2-226 in just 31 overs.
Travis Dean was the star of the show with an unbeaten 106 off 73 balls. The innings included 14 fours and two sixes.
The win set up a semi final clash with St Kilda on Sunday.
The Saints piled on the runs, making 6-284 from their overs. Jonathan Merlo scored 139 off 136 balls.
Victorian star Peter Handscomb scored 76 as he and Merlo put on more 128 for the third wicket partnership.
Jake Reed and Ashley Armstrong took two wickets each for the Bulldogs.
It was a case of a lot of starts for the Bulldogs as they looked to chase down the runs. Dylan Kight helped take the score past 200.
The Bulldogs would be bowled out for 256 with eight balls remaining.
Kight top scored with 76.
St Kilda will face Carlton in one of the preliminary finals and Casey-South Melbourne will play Richmond in the other.
The Bulldogs second side and fourth XI were also knocked out on Saturday.
The third XI will play Melbourne in a preliminary final after beating Frankston Peninsula.
Frankston Peninsula made 9-141 with the Bulldogs making 6-142.
