By Nick Creely
WDCA
REVIEW – SEMI-FINALS
Simply remarkable.
A momentum-filled Drouin is officially grand final bound in Division1 after storming past minor premiers Western Park in a tremendous performance at Western Park Reserve over the weekend.
Batting first on a deck that offered little carry for the bowlers, the Hawks lost Jonathan Bell and Sam Wyatt, before setting about for a rebuild.
Damon Healy (61) and Jake Harper (41) steadily put the innings back together, with Healy taking on the role of aggressor while Harper provided superb support.
But not long before tea, Healy fell at the hands of Jason Croft (2/40) to reach 3/132 with a session to play.
As the pitch began to play tricks on the batsmen, the Hawks faltered, with a rapid collapse seeing them shot out for just 163, with Sam Batson (3/39), Danny Sheehan (2/20) and Croft making the most of the conditions to roll the visitors for a seemingly under-par total.
But this is where the momentum ended for the home side, who lost two late wickets – including an astonishing run-out from Sam Wyatt to remove the dangerous Leigh Diston – right before stumps to be teetering at 2/25.
In what was a grind of a second day, the Hawks found their mojo and surged ahead, full of confidence and energy.
Dale Weller (7/40) proved hard to handle in a frightening second day performance, swiftly tearing apart the home side’s top order, before ending their misery in just 43.1 overs, rolling them for an incredible 70.
In a stunning display of off-spin bowling, Weller’s subtle changes of pace and turn proved the key in a masterclass of country bowling.
The Hawks will meet Buln Buln in this weekend’s grand final after the Lyrebirds edged over the line in a thrilling semi against Ellinbank.
The Bankers were spirited throughout, and provided fierce resistance with the bat on the opening day, compiling a series of partnerships, namely through Matt Farthing (32), skipper Ben Spicer (32) and Nick Fairbank (34) to get them off to a solid start.
But Englishman Cal Stewart provided the headache, using his nagging line and length to turn the game after it appeared the Bankers could get away and post a monster score.
A late burst from Jackon Noonan (4/39) saw the Bankers restricted to 186, still a highly competitive total, and a tricky chase especially in a final.
In the vital overs before stumps, the Lyrebirds held firm to get to the end of the day 0/25, setting up a fascinating run chase.
Consistency was the theme for the Lyrebirds on the second day, with remarkably every batsmen in the top eight reaching double figures, and despite taking it down to the wire, the home side got over the line with three wickets left in the shed.
It sets up the Lyrebirds for a rare chance at back-to-back premierships when they take on the Hawks this weekend, in what is set to be a cracking contest in front of a monster crowd at Bellbird Park.
“Information compiled by Joel Batson on the WDCA website contributed to this report”.
