By Tara Murray
Westmeadows secured a home semi final with a strong batting performance against Craigieburn in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1 north Tony Isaacs Shield.
The Warriors sent a message ahead of the finals, as they chased down Craigieburn’s total with ease.
Needing 228 for victory after bowling the Eagles out of 227 on day one, the Warriors made the runs with more than 20 overs and eight wickets in hand.
For Warriors captain-coach Tarek Moughanie the weekend was about making sure they got the win and a top two spot.
“You can’t read too much into that game,” he said.
“On paper it looks like a good win, but that can happen in cricket.
“All our thoughts were about securing a top two spot and home final, especially looking at the weather forecast this week.”
The Warriors started the run chase by losing an early wicket, before Danny Law ran himself out, to have the Warriors 2-71.
It brought Chinthaka Jayasinghe and Aaron Evans together. The two would bat through, guiding the side to 2-253.
Jayasinghe would finish 123 not out and Evans 101 not out.
“CJ has had a good year and has gone to the top of the runs tally. He was the best player in the competition last year and from what I’ve seen he’ll be in the mix again,” Moughanie said.
“For someone who doesn’t train, he’s an exceptional cricketer.
“It’s Aaron’s maiden first XI 100. He was on about 84 when we passed their total and we decided to allow him to bat on and get the 100.
“He had done the hard work and deserved it.”
Moughanie said while it was a strong batting performance, he thought the game was won for them on day one.
“We won by getting them out for 230,” he said.
“They were 0-80 at tea and then we took 10-147 after tea on day one. They could have scored 250-plus.”
The win was enough to seal top spot, just ahead of West Coburg on percentage.
It means the Warriors will host Craigieburn for a second straight week, this time with a grand final spot on the line.
Moughanie said he expected this week’s semi final to be a cracker, with the two teams locked at 1-1 in match-ups this year.
He said of the other three teams left in the finals, Craigieburn was the one most similar to them.
“They have a lot of depth in their line-up,” he said.
“Like us they are a player or two deeper in the batting than the rest of the competition.
“Craigieburn bat down the order. Mick Bury is batting at eight, but in most other clubs he is a top three batsman.
“Him and Adam Davies can rescue an innings.”
Moughanie said the key for them in the semi final was to be better with the ball and take their opportunities in the field.
Greenvale Kangaroos avoided the wooden spoon with a final round victory against PEGS.
The Kangaroos made 159, before bowling PEGS out for 125.
