ST Mary’s Tyntynder made the ultimate statement in Saturday’s semi-final, crushing cross-town rivals RSL by seven wickets.
Heading in as firm favourites, but with a history of falling at this stage, the Saints proved they are a different beast, rolling the Blues for 78.
Robin Sebastian was the star, taking 5/12 off 15.2 overs in a remarkable show of tight bowling.
Sebastian returned to the club this season and has proved invaluable, with his Kookaburra Cup best-on-ground medal being the highlight.
Saints skipper Nathaniel Holmes-Brown told The Guardian he was glad to be able to utilise Sebastian’s talents again.
“He does the job every week for us and has been doing that role for many years before,” he said.
“It’s great to have him back in the bowling group.”
While the Blues were skittled for 78, they weren’t blasted out – surviving 45 overs – in a brilliant tight bowling effort by the Saints’ attack.
Holmes-Brown was delighted with the performance.
“We’re lucky we have a good group of bowlers who not just take wickets but tie batsmen down when necessary,” he said.
“To be able to restrict them to below 100 was a great effort – it was pretty tough out there for them, we didn’t give them much.”
It was a comfortable chase in reply for the Saints, even after losing both openers.
Young star Charlie King (23 not out) dragged them home and has been a revelation at first drop for the Saints this season.
Holmes-Brown was in awe of his abilities.
“He’s very talented – I always forget he’s only 15 years old – he’s just such a mature batter the way he stays out there all day and not be fussed,” he said.
“He backs his own game, which is a great credit to him, and I can’t wait to see him progress over the next couple of years when he’s a bit stronger and faster.”
It was a big day for the Saints, with their B Grade side also reaching the grand final by beating the Blues.
Holmes-Brown said the vibe at the club was driving them to success.
“It’s been a great feeling around the club this year – the past couple seasons, we’ve struggled to get a team in the B Grade, but this year we’ve had to drop players every week – we’re all just loving our cricket and enjoying each other’s company,” he said.
The Saints will face Wandella in the showpiece event this week, a side they lost to a fortnight ago.
Wandella vs Nyah District
TWO seasons after joining the SHDCA, Wandella have reached their first A Grade grand final – defeating perennial powerhouse Nyah District by 34 runs in the semi-final.
A chase of 163 for the Demons seemed a tad below par, but a brilliant bowling display by the form team of the competition ensured the Bombers would get another crack at the Saints on the big stage.
Since losing to the Saints in the Kookaburra Cup final on Australia Day, the Bombers have gone six games unbeaten.
Bombers captain Gregory Dickson told The Guardian he has been urging his charges to capitalise on this momentum.
“Momentum has been a key for us,” he said.
“I always tell the boys, whatever position we find ourselves in, we have to find a way to believe that we can win.”
With the Demons 0/50 in their chase and with chances being grassed, that edict from Dickson was tested heavily on Saturday afternoon.
The crucial breakthrough of Charlie Boulton was followed by an even bigger one when Ethan McKnight snicked off star bat Joel Walsh for a golden duck.
“That was a massive moment,” Dickson said.
“When he’s in, they are always confident that he’ll get the job done for them – so to get him first rock was vital.”
The fast-bowling trio of McKnight brothers Ethan and Bohden, along with Ryan Barnes, have been the Bombers’ strength this second half of the season, and they proved so again, combining for seven wickets.
“I just try and encourage them to bowl in the right areas,” Dickson said.
“All of St Mary’s batsmen are pretty aggressive, so we can’t afford to give them loose ones this week.”
The Bombers will head in as underdogs again against the Saints this weekend, but it would be brave to write them off.
