PAKENHAM UpperToomuc’s Dgrade team booked a grand final berth after a strong semifinal win against Beaconsfield at the weekend.
Hosting Beaconsfield, the Yabbies batted first.
Two wickets fell inside ten overs, but a fine partnership of 67 between Craig Spicer and Luke Gunton (38) lasted past the tea break and laid the foundations for a good score.
Tim Owens (15) and Brett Maddock (14) scored quickly, while Frank Scartuchio (12) helped Spicer reach the fine score of 92 runs.
Paul Ryan (16) and Adrian Grey (13 not out) added a valuable 31 for the last wicket and the Yabbies finished 10/235.
Adrian Garvey (3/39) and Paul Ryan (1/26) got two wickets for no runs to give PUT a perfect start on day two and after nine overs the score was 4/23.
Dave Merrigan (2/16) took a slick catch of his own bowling and Frank Scartuchio (3/12) mopped up the tail to leave the Tigers all out for 141 and a grandfinal spot for the Yabbies.
E GRADE
Adding 49 for the second wicket, Corey Arthur (31) and Ben Clough (18) made a start, but the PUT middle order was skittled by Cardinia.
Only a fighting 42 from Drew Clarke pushed the score to 10/135.
The Yabbies bowled carefully, but were unable to defend the small total.
Ron Milnes (0/16 off 12), Bob Phillips (1/13 off 9) and Ben Clough (0/14 off 8) all bowled well, but the Bulls got home with 30 overs to spare.
UNDER 17
Grant Barklay (33) and Chris Cardona (26) top scored for the Yabbies against Beacy Bandits, after Luke Gunton and Michael Wake (both 21) had got the PUT innings off to a good start.
The Yabbies posted 9/163.
On day two, the Bandits recovered from two early losses to make 5/166 for an easy win.
Best of the Yabby bowlers was Nick Fromhold with 2/31.
Gunton and Jake Abel got one each, and Nick Fromhold got a directhit runout.
UNDER 15
Beacy Eagles batted first against the Yabbies and in a highquality match posted 105.
Mitchell Price (2/8), Daniel Jeavons (2/14) and Ilija Drazic (2/13) took the bowling honours.
On Sunday, James Parnell (23) got the side off to a great start, but wickets fell regularly and it was left to Price (14 not out) and Jesse Dinnie (12 not out) to steer the side over the line in an exciting finish with two balls to spare.
CLUB NOTES
The senior presentation dinner will be held on Saturday, 14 April at Castello’s Bistro in Pakenham, see committee members for tickets or phone 0439 569 047.
The junior presentations will be at the clubrooms on Friday, 30 March at 6.45pm.
The annual general meeting will be held on Tuesday, 22 May at 7pm.
