Altona Sports had no trouble at all as it won through to the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association A.E Lowe Shield grand final.
In its first season back in the Churches competition, Sports top side has been the team to beat in the two-day competition, going through the regular season undefeated.
Skipper Liam Brennan said that mattered little heading into finals.
“We’ve been in this position a few times before and anything can happen in finals,” he said. “It means nothing and it is still nerve racking going in.”
Sports need not worry as it easily accounted for Seabrook.
After winning the toss, Sports made 232 as it was bowled out in the 68th over.
Brennan said it wasn’t their best innings, but was a more than respectable score on the board
“We had a really good start,” he said. “Brayden [Svilar], one of our openers, made 88. He’s our leading run scorer this season.
“Aidan [Sinclair] our other opener made 59 not out.
“In the middle overs we had a few starts but no one went on with it. We bat deep, but we left a bit out there.
“I thought we had the bowling attack though.”
Alex Zammit was the only other batter to pass 20 for Altona Sports.
Sports bowling attack got off to a flier and took control of the match, having Seabook looking at being bowled out for under 100.
Seabrook fought hard, but was eventually bowled out for 123.
Brennan said Seabrook really stuck at it.
“They didn’t play too many shots,” he said. “They tried to tire us out.
“Tom [Harrison] bowled 13 overs straight and didn’t give them anything. All our bowlers took wickets and everyone contributed.
“They can all bowl long spells so we weren’t worried about that.”
Khush Talati and Prashant Krishna finished with three wickets each, while Zachary Zammit and Harrison took two each.
It was a good weekend for Sports, with its third, fourth and fifth XI sides all winning through to grand finals.
The second XI fell just short in its semi final.
Having also made the T20 grand final, it’s been a really strong season for Sports.
“It’s been a very successful year,” Brennan said. “So far we’ve had some great results.”
Sports will play Western United in the top flight grand final.
Western United beat Wyndham Vale in the other semi final.
Brennan said they were confident heading into the match.
“We’ve had a pretty tough year with a few forfeits,” he said. “It’s good to play cricket again and get into a grand final.
“We have only played them one and half times with a wash out and a one-dayer.Their bowling is strong it is a good test for us.”
