David Braithwaite
THE Sale-Maffra junior cricket grand finals will be played on Monday.
Stratford will play Collegians Red in the under 16s grand final at the College Oval, Sale, while Boisdale-Briagolong will take on Stratford in the under 14s title decider at Nambrok.
Both matches will begin at 10am.
STRATFORD advanced to the under 14s grand final after a thrilling semi-final victory over Maffra at the weekend.
The Redbacks appeared in control after bowling the Eagles out for 76 on Saturday, but only passed that total the next day with one wicket in hand.
When requiring another four runs to win, Stratford lost its eighth and ninth wickets, setting up a thrilling finish, but the Redbacks scored the required wins to book a grand final berth.
Ben Dekkars top-scored with 17, while Zane Waixel made 14. Hamish Sellings took 3-15 for Maffra, with two wickets each from Will Osborn and Harry Gravener.
On Saturday, Tristan Neaves scored 38 for the Eagles and Ryan Phelan 16. Adam Russell took 5-19 for the Redbacks and Waixel 2-8.
Boisdale-Briagolong earned the chance to complete an undefeated season after proving too strong for Bundalaguah.
After being sent in to bat, the Bulls were bowled out for 54. Bayden Dowsett stood-out with his innings of 27.
Austin Anlezark took 3-4 from five overs, with two wickets each from Ed Phelan-Penson and Jett Stewart.
By stumps on Saturday, the Saints were 3-28, but didn’t lose another wicket on Sunday, finishing on 3-56 in 23 overs.
Tom Harms (19) and Mason Annear (11) were the unbeaten batsmen, while Shaymus Wain scored 15.
Dowsett claimed 2-10 for the Bulls.
IN the under 16s, undefeated minor premier Stratford overcame Rosedale-Kilmany in the semi-finals.
After being asked to bat first, the Warriors made a commendable 8-131 from their 48 overs.
Captain Spencer Fox made 43 at the top of the order, while Sam Treasure scored 36.
Fox and Treasure took the score from 1-14 to 2-85, before both became two of Seb Pendergast’s three victims. Pendergast finsished with 3-25, and Kane Russell 2-10.
The Redbacks reached its victory target in the 37th over for the loss of only one wicket. Russell and Ethan Aurisch both retired, on 51 and 50 respectively, while Noah Bennet scored 21.
Collegians Red defeated Collegians Blue in the other semi-final.
On Saturday morning, Blue made 108, with Archer McGuiness making 30, Samuel Callahan 22 and Luka Hall 17. Tom Morrison claimed 3-4 from seven overs, with two wickets each from Cooper Lett and Sam Anderson.
The next morning, Red passed Blue’s score during its 50th over with five wickets in hand.
Morrison backed up his effort with the ball by scoring 45, Zak Russell scored 32 not out. Morrison and Russell combined for a 42-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Noah Hurley claimed two wickets for Blue.
