Epping’s season may have been all but over, but the side wasn’t going down without a fight in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Barclay Shield.
Epping needed to win its last two games and hope a raft of other results went its way if it was going to sneak into the top four.
While unable to get that first win, Epping coach Andrew Bennett was thrilled with how his side fought it out to the end against North Eltham Wanderers.
Epping made 167 on day one of the match, and both sides looked like winners at times during the second day.
“It was close the whole way,” Bennett said.
“We were defending a modest total all day long and were only beaten on the final ball.
“We started off well and continued until they were 6-100-odd after we got some wickets in the middle order.
“They got one partnership towards the back end of the innings and that got them to the brink of winning. They needed 10 runs with three wickets in hand.”
Blake Dobbin took two wickets in an over to give Epping a shot at victory but it wasn’t to be with the North Eltham Wanderers finishing 9-168.
John Lever was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for Epping.
The loss ends Epping’s finals chance, with the side sitting eighth ahead of a final round match with Diamond Creek.
Bennett said the season hadn’t panned out the way they had hoped.
“We brought together what we thought was a good squad,” he said. “[But] Every week someone has been unavailable with work, a wedding or other engagements. We haven’t had consistency in the first XI squad.”
Bennett said Michael Fitzpatrick and Shanyn Kearney had been given chances in the top side in recent weeks and both had done the jobs asked of them.
Despite missing finals the club is looking to finish the season on a high against Diamond Creek, and a win would be extra special as the club celebrates 10 years since its 2007-08 Barclay Shield premiership.
Epping defeated Diamond Creek on that day, with current player John Lever top-scoring for in the win.
Bennett said several past players would be in attendance at the match.
In other Barclay Shield matches, Bundoora kept its finals hopes alive with victory against Old Paradians. The Bulls’ total of 139 proved enough, with the Wolves bowled out for 129. Bundoora sits sixth heading into the final round, only percentage outside the top four.
Bundoora United and Mernda need things to go their way if they are to sneak into the Money Shield top four.
Both sit six points outside the top four, after a win and loss respectively at the weekend. A loss on Saturday, ended Lalor Stars finals hopes.
