BARHAM-Koondrook are through to their first SHDCA A grade grand final after defeating rivals Wandella by 88 runs in Saturday’s semi final at Koondrook.
The Raiders will face Nyah District in the decider after setting up their semi final win with a dominant batting display, with the home side setting the Bombers a challenging target of 190 – their highest score for the season.
With Wandella’s recent batting woes, 190 was always going to test the visitors line-up, with Samuel Copland (37) and Brodey Farley (38 not out) the only Bombers to reach double figures in their total of 10-102.
Warren Lolicato was at his assertive best, belting six boundaries and one six on his way to a match high 67 off 118 balls, which also included a 52-run second wicket partnership with brother Garry (24).
There was a small glimmer of hope for Wandella when Ryan Barnes dismissed Lolicato with the score on 129, however that was quickly snuffed out by Lachlan Laursen (38) and Hayden Solar (17 not out), with their 53-run, seventh wicket partnership ultimately taking the game beyond reach for Wandella. Both Lolicato and Laursen earnt praise from Barham-Koondrook co-captain Jayden Hall post-match.
“He (Lolicato) is close to, if not is the in-form batsman after Christmas, he just keeps making runs and batted very well again on the weekend,” Hall said.
“Lachie (Laursen) was sensational late too, he has that ability and it’s something that we’ve been waiting to see from him all year even though he’s made a few 30s and got a few starts.
“The way he exploded late was fantastic, he scored just four runs from his first 16 balls, but then hit ‘Moorey’ (Peter Moore) for 20 off an over and he was just electric.”
As impressive as they were with the bat, the Raiders were equally as destructive with the ball, Chameera Akurugoda (3-18 off 14 overs), Sean Solar (3-30 off seven overs) and Garry Lolicato (3-40 off 17 overs) all tearing through Wandella’s batting line-up.
Tight line and length bowling saw wickets fall consistently from the Bombers, with their first and only partnership of note coming from the last wicket, with Farley and Laing Waddingham putting on 36 runs.
“Chameera (Akurugoda) and Garry (Lolicato) led the way early and were able to tie them (Wandella) down fairly effectively to start the innings and then Sean Solar came on and played his role as well,” Hall said.
“He (Solar) is a gun, with either bat or ball, just because he’s batting in the lower order, he can definitely hold it and swing and as a left arm bowler he provides our attack with something different.
“I think Saturday was probably the best game we’ve played for the entire year and to be able to do that in a semi final was pretty satisfying.
“We put it together with both bat and ball, which was awesome and I think we’re playing some really good cricket at the right time of the year and we’ll be keen to get out there and do more of the same on Saturday.”
Saturday’s result means this year’s grand final will come down to a battle between the top two teams of the season, with Nyah District (first) and Barham-Koondrook (second) having played out a classic battle at their last meeting in round 11.
While the Demons fell over the line that day, Hall is not only confident of reversing that result, but also looking forward to showcasing what his team is capable of on the big stage.
“We’re obviously very happy with Saturday’s performance, but we can’t hold onto that for too long,” Hall said.
“We have to keep moving forward because we’re coming up against the benchmark in Nyah (District), but we’re ready to get into it.
“If I put my president’s hat on, it (reaching the grand final) is something that we’re very proud of as a club – to be able to come across into a new league and reach the grand final in our second season is very satisfying.”
