Lalor Stars fell just short in their chase for a first Northern Region T20 title on Tuesday night.
A surprise packet of the competition, the Stars were thrilled to be in the final against Diamond Creek in the first place.
Last season the Stars didn’t enter a team in the competition and made it through to this year’s final by defeating the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s top side, Riverside.
The Stars were more than competitive in the final, falling eight runs short of victory after a below par start with the bat.
Diamond Creek got away from the Stars with the bat, making 4-157 from its 20 overs.
Victorian Premier Cricket batsman Michael Hill, who was a guest player for the Creekers for their past four games, was the standout, making 61 at the top of the order.
Jordan Steele was the only bowler to take multiple wickets for the Stars, taking 2-32. Paul Higgins was the tightest of the bowlers, going for a run a ball.
The Stars got off to a disastrous start in their run chase and were in trouble at 3-7.
They regrouped with a 64-run partnership between Andrew Fergusson and Steele and looked to make a late run at the total.
The loss of two quick wickets slowed the Stars down before some big hitting from skipper Ricky Mittica.
He fell for 50 pushing for late runs. His 50 came from 29 balls which included three fours and four sixes.
In the end, the Stars fell eight runs short, making 7-150.
The win means Diamond Creek is through to the finals of the statewide Regional T20 competition to be held later this year.
