Tara Murray
Footscray United is through to its third grand final in as many as seasons after winning its Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2 semi final on Sunday.
Facing West Newport, which beat them late in the regular season, the Bulldogs did enough with both the bat and ball to make it through to the decider.
After winning the toss, the Bulldogs were bowled out for 168 in the 59th over. Chathura Milan top scored with 44.
Bulldogs captain-coach Shafraz Mohamed, who was watching the game from the side lines, said thought they had enough runs on the board.
“We were pleased,” he said. “The outfield was slow and it was hard to score. We were 5-40 odd, so to come back and get that score, the boys stepped up.
“The best thing is we bat all the way to 11.”
Mohamed said stand-in captain Lahiru Kumara set the tone in the field with some really great captaincy and some good bowling changes.
“We knew that we had to get through their top order,” he said. “We backed out bowlers in, to get the job done.”
West Newport was bowled out for 99. Trent Jones was the only batter to score more than 11, hitting 24.
Ashen Abeykoon took five wickets for the Bulldogs.
Mohamed, who said he would be back for the grand final, said they were excited to be back to another grand final.
“It’s pretty good to get there again,” he said. “A third in a row since I have come to the club.”
The Bulldogs will face St Andrews Pascoe Vale in the grand final after it beat Altona Roosters.
The Roosters made 171, with St Andrews making the runs seven wickets down.
Mohamed said they were confident of getting the job done.
“We’ve got our momentum back,” he said. “Regardless of the opposition, we will play our own game.”
