By Marcus Uhe
Emerald has done all it can to secure its place in the District Division final four, completing a thrashing of Pakenham Upper Toomuc by 290 runs.
A total of 264 would be a very respectable score on most days, but chasing 554 was always going to be difficult, particularly given the extra incentive for the Bombers.
Amith Eranda did the damage once again, claiming five wickets to go with his triple-hundred last week in what is surely one of the all-time all-round performances in the competition’s history.
Yabbies skipper Prabath Kobbekaduwa made a fighting 75 to lead his team in scoring.
The Bombers fate in the final four was to be decided by an independent appeals hearing on Tuesday night, with Cranbourne Meadows appealing a CCCA decision to relieve the club of six points for a drawn result against Gembrook in round seven.
The teams did not take to the field, with the CCCA awarding both teams six points for a draw – points which have subsequently been removed.
If the points are reinstated, Cranbourne Meadows will leapfrog Emerald into fourth spot and take on Devon Meadows in this week’s semi-final.
Cranbourne Meadows suffered its first loss since round 10, unable to chase Upper Beaconsfield’s 297.
Jass Dhaliwal played a captain’s knock of 70 to recover the innings after Tyler Astle had both openers back in the shed early, but he was the only batter to pass 50 for the Rebels, who were dismissed for 196 in the 62nd over.
Andrew McDonald and AJ Claxton both took four wickets each to ensure the Maroons hit the finals in winning form.
They’ll face Lang Lang in the first week of finals action, who secured their first win since 21 January in a defeat of NNG/Maryknoll.
Oshadha Ariyadasa’s 26-ball 50 pushed their total to 5/232 on the second day, after the first was rain-affected.
Dale Cranston took 5/38 for the Tigers to dismiss the Marygoons for 159 in the 54th over.
Upper Beaconsfield have the wood over Lang Lang, winning their last four meetings in comprehensive style, with the closest margin being 55 runs in a one-day clash in round eight this season.
Devon Meadows, who had their feet up this week thanks to Gembrook’s decision to forfeit, have only lost twice this season, but the only sides to knock them off are their potential semi final opponents in Emerald and Cranbourne Meadows.
Panthers star Lucas Ligt made just two when they fell to the Rebels by 50 runs in round five, but made amends with an unbeaten 111 in the return fixture.
