By Tara Murray
Epping let slip a chance to return to the winners list in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Barclay Shield.
Having already secured a finals spot, the final few rounds for the Pingers is an opportunity to fine-tune a few things heading into finals.
After dropping a rain interrupted game the round before, the Pingers lost a thriller to Lower Eltham on Saturday.
For much of the game the Pingers were in control of the game, but they weren’t able to close it out.
Pingers coach Jeff Hughes said the result was a little bit disappointing.
“Certainly at one stage we were in control, but it went the wrong way,” he said.
“We made a few bad decisions with the way we went about it chasing the total.”
In a match that became a one-day game after day one last week was washed out, Lower Eltham batted first and made 131.
Hughes said Lower Eltham started well, before the Pingers responded.
“The first nine overs they were 0-55 or 0-56. We had a great fightback and took 10-80 in that period.
“There was also some great fielding.” Josh Henkel was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-14.
Similar to Lower Eltham’s innings, Epping started well with the bat before they were restricted.
After being 0-40 and then 3-95, the Pingers fell short making 8-125. Andrew Licovski top scored with 38.
Hughes said they backed themselves to turn their form around next week and then into finals.
The Pingers sit third and that’s where they will finish the regular season.
PHOTO GALLERY: Epping vs Lower Eltham
They will face Heidelberg in the first round of finals in a knockout semi final.
Hughes said they were hopeful that Billy McKeown would return to the side in the next couple of weeks after a hamstring injury.
In good news for the Pingers, their top four sides will all play finals, with three of those sitting in the top two.
In other results, Bundoora lost to North Eltham Wanderers.
The Wanderers made 134 before bowling the Bulls out for 104. In the Money Shield, the fight for finals spots will continue into the final round.
Bundoora United enters the final round in first position, but need a win to ensure a home final.
The Bulldogs on Saturday beat Old Paradians. The Bulldogs made 4-198 with skipper Mathew Ross top scoring with 57.
They then bowled the Wolves out for 139. Lalor Stars had a good win to put themselves in the box seat for a finals spot.
Playing Research Eltham Collegians, the Stars made 9-168 with Wayne Dow top scoring with 37.
The Stars then restricted the Collegians to 126. The Stars sit third, six points clear of fourth and fifth, who both have a better percentage.
In other results, Mill Park lost to Eltham and Mernda was defeated by Montmorency
