Three wins in the last five rounds could not mask the Greenvale Kangaroos’ horror summer, nor shield it from Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division relegation.
The Kangaroos missed out on safety by a mere 1.11 points, despite finishing the season on a high note with a 28-run home win over Strathmore on Saturday, which coincidently saw the Mores miss out on the finals by the unlucky 1.11 points.
The final day was bittersweet for the Kangaroos as they produced a memorable run chase.
Set a target of 256, the Roos powered to the first innings points seven down, but finished on 8-283, not enough to make up ground on third-last Tullamarine.
The run chase was inspired by Sameen Kandanearachchi, who made a swashbuckling 106, including 15 fours and three sixes.
With five catches and four stumpings to go with the century, Kandanearachchi was undoubtedly the man of the match.
The other keys for the Roos were Chinthaka Jayasinghe, who made 79, and Chathura Darshana, who took eight wickets for the match, but it counted for little as their side was sent packing to the second-tier north division.
Tullamarine survived by the skin of their teeth after a hard-fought 16-run win over wooden spooners Airport West-St Christophers in the final round.
The Demons chased down the small 176 victory target seven down with David Zahorodni leading the way, as he so often does, with 79.
Zahorodni finished the season with the second-most runs in the competition with 531 – five runs behind Hampton’s English import Ryan Pringle, who stormed to the top of the list with a double century late in the season.
In north division, Westmeadows will feel the pain of the drop after it was beaten in the final round by bottom of the ladder Royal Park-Brunswick.
The Warriors were in trouble after managing just 187 and the Royals cruised to the target five down to finish on 5-211 with captain Chris Hasenkam making 126 not out.
In north A1, Craigieburn made a paltry 75 in response to Aberfeldie’s 9-197, crashing out of the finals race.
Abers batted a second time to make 9-211, sealing first place in the finals.
