By JARROD POTTER
SPITTING rain and a howling wind did not curb the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s under-21s as they powered towards the VMCU grand final with a 67-run win over Eastern Cricket Association.
Playing at Casey Fields, after the previously scheduled Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union (VMCU) semi-final was washed out last weekend, the DDCA went in to bat first and had to rebuild after the top order failed to dig in against Eastern’s attack.
Cranbourne’s Jordan Cleland (26) and the skipper Dylan Quirk (22) started off strongly, but when both holed out to Tim Wilton (2/29), the cause was left to North Dandenong’s Clay McCartney, who backed up 95 in the previous round with a match-defining 70.
McCartney held out as the order collapsed around him, as the DDCA fell to 5/77 in the 20th over when Ryan Quirk (8) was found short of his crease.
Jordan Hammond (20 not out), Travis D’Souza (14) and Jagveer Hayer (12) ensured McCartney had enough support for the Norths all-rounder to raise the bat on his second half-century in as many VMCU games and guide the tally to 9/203 by the 40-over completion.
The response in the growing gloom was too difficult for Eastern CA to muster as Hallam Kalora Park’s Hayer – who hit 96 for the Hawks on Saturday against Cranbourne – ran through the order with his left arm orthodox spinners.
His 6/21 from eight overs was more than enough to run through Eastern for 136 and seal the DDCA’s emphatic win.
“I’m pretty happy to be honest – we were 5 for about 70 so we finished really well and bowled even better,” Quirk said.
“Clay was really good – he got 95 last game so he’s in pretty good knick and he timed his innings pretty well.
“Big boundaries and slow outfield and I reckon the wicket had a little bit in it too – they set a pretty good field and they bowled pretty well.”
Quirk gave thumbs up to all of his bowlers as he thought no-one lowered their colours as the bowling unit on whole was exceptional.
The DDCA is through to the grand final and will face Diamond Valley CA on Sunday 1 February at Jubilee Park (Russell Lucas Oval) in Ringwood and Quirk rates his side’s chances of taking home the trophy against a traditionally tough opponent.
“They’re walkways pretty strong and we played them in a semi last year after they knocked us off round one, so it would be interesting to see how many of them are still in that side,” Quirk said.
“I think our bowling is the strongest in the competition which holds us in pretty good stead.
“Definitely get to enjoy the carnival a lot more when we’re winning – especially on the Sunday they can drag on a touch – you enjoy it when the team is doing well and enjoy the company and we’re pretty happy to be out there.”
The match starts at 11am next Sunday.
