Sport
18 February, 2025
Ladder leaders finish regular season strong as attentions turns to finals
St Andrews and Swifts Great Western claim final round wins.
St Andrews and Swifts Great Western finished their Grampians Cricket Association regular season on a high, cementing first and second placings, respectively, with commanding wins on Saturday, February 15.
The Combine's Jack Cann top-scored for the round with an unbeaten half-century against Pomonal.
At first drop, he took to the crease with his side a 1/21 and built a 60-run partnership with Zachary Marrow and a 63-run partnership with Matt Heffer.
Pomonal's Tyler Cronin made light work of Swifts-Great Western's middle-order, claiming the wickets of Jacob Dunn and Stewart McPherson before either could get started at the crease.
In the end, the Combine surpassed Pomonal's first innings total of 176 runs in the 38th over.
Heffer had a good hand in limiting the target, taking four middle-order wickets from six overs.
St Andrews solidified its minor premiership with its win against Halls Gap, with a five-wicket haul for Sam Summers proving crucial after a lacklustre first innings.
A 29-run opening partnership started St Andrews innings off well, but an eight-run second wicket followed by a scoreless third had the side in rough shape.
Captain Tom Mills steadied the ship alongside Dinesh Borase to get St Andrews to 74 runs before another wicket fell.
A lifeless tail saw four straight duck to close out St Andrews' innings with Max McMahon taking four wickets.
McMahon was the pick of Halls Gaps batsmen as well, scoring 39 before getting caught off the bowling of Ned Bohner.
Charlie Mcintosh (17) was the only other Halls Gap batsmen to surpass five, with the side all out for 83 in the 26th over.
On Saturday, February 22, the A Grade semi-finals will mirror the league's final round.
St Andrews is hosting Halls Gap at Gordon Street Reserve, and Swifts-Great Western is taking on Pomonal at Stawell's Central Park.
Halls Gap and Tatyoon will meet on Sunday, February 23 in the GCA under 18 grand final.
The two sides also met in the competition's final round, with Halls Gap claiming the win.
The GCA under 13s finish their season on Friday, February 25 with Halls Gap hosting Buangor, Tatyoon Maroon taking on Swifts Great Western, and Tatyoon Gold meeting Pomonal.