Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows did the damage with the ball, and Plenty Valley with the bat, as the pair set up a Sub District cricket grand final match-up.
They won their semi-finals in different circumstances at the weekend, although both set up victory on the first day.
A stunning all-round performance by 42-year-old Sean Ayres (149 and 6-67) inspired Plenty Valley, while Roxburgh Park showed again that its bowling line-up is the best in the business by bowling out Altona for 99 at Lakeside Drive.
“We bowled exceptionally and all the bowlers played their role,” Falcons captain-coach Mitch Johnstone said.
“A different guy stands up every week. This time it was Patrick Matautaava [who took 7-22], which is even more remarkable in light of what is happening in [his home country] Vanuatu.”
Then the Falcons, not for the first time this season, suffered a few nervous moments with the bat.
“We were 3-20, then Mitch [Streiff] and Kurt [Brant] struck up a partnership to steady us,” Johnstone said.
“We lost two quick wickets before tea and Mitch straight after tea, which again made us nervous.”
But the Falcons eventually got over the line, finishing 6-103, to reach only its second grand final in 43 years.
“To play at Lakeside in front of our fans will be special and will give us an extra one per cent,” Johnstone said.
Plenty Valley reached the grand final with a devastating batting display against Melton at A.K. Line Reserve.
They made 7-324 from their 80 overs on the back of an opening partnership of 148 between Ayres and Kamalesh Murugsan (75).
Captain-coach Michael Sheedy said having runs on the board was like gold in finals.
“Being 0-148 set a really good platform and scoring 300 in finals is worth heaps,” he said.
“Ayresy and Kamalesh were fantastic. I didn’t think someone could mature as a cricketer at 42.”
Two early Melton wickets, including that of star batsman Mick Allen, helped the Bats bowl out Melton for 210.
“We put the pressure on with the ball and they were in the game while [David] Kirk and Butch [Anthony Gale] were batting, but 320 was always going to be a big score,” Sheedy said.
Sheedy said he would back his side’s experience in the grand final.
“We’ve had five players who have played grade cricket over a long time,” he said. “We’re confident the 11 that played this week and got us to the grand final will do the job.”
