Return of the Kings.
By Ian Harley
The Upper Ferntree Gully Kings have claimed the DeCoite shield and promotion into the Norm Reeves Shield next season. Jay Colee was named the Ken Utting Medalist for best afield.
Chasing Upper Ferntree Gully's 212 the Lysterfield innings didn't get off to a great start with Scott Peatling surviving a first ball LBW appeal, only to be caught behind off the second ball. This brought Nathan Walsh to the crease, who in partnership with Tim Binks set about chasing down the score. Walsh led from the front and played an aggressive innings, after 30 overs the Beavers were 133 Walsh was 88*. A short time later Tim Binks was dismissed for 46 with the the score on 145. Nathan Walsh then fell for 91 with no addition to the score. The Kings sensed an opportunity an proceeded to up the pressure on the Beavers batting line up. When Jay Colee snared his 6th wicket to end the game Lysterfield had lost 9/52. Colee's performance of 6/59 combined with Phil Salters 4/40 was just what the Kings ordered.
No play was possible on day one with standing water surrounding the wicket despite the best efforts of both sides to get the ground fit for play. Day two saw Upper Gully win the toss and elect to bat with skipper Peter Dunlop and Alistair Lord opening the innings. Lord was removed with the score on 15. The Kings then lost Guy Balmford(15) with the score on 53 and Craig Bridle (13) at 84. Dunlop continued to drive the score on and with Shane Luck (33) put on a 65 run partnership before Luck was dismissed with the score on 149.
The Kings looked to accelerate the scoring and in doing so lost Dunlop for well compiled 86 making the score 5/169. Wickets fell regularly in the chase for runs but it was Jay "Sticks" Colee that ensured the innings finished with a flourish at 8/212. Lysterfield's Stephen Kennedy (2/27) and Aiden Inglis (2/32) took their early wickets before Brad Paull (2/52) and Nathan Walsh (2/57) took the pace of the ball trying to restrict the scoring. Lysterfield will need to make the most of any opportunities to win this game, while the Kings will be looking to turn the screws and put pressure on the Beavers. Day 3 will be an interesting proposition indeed.
Scores
Grand Final
Norm Reeves Shield
Knoxfield 208 (Train 54, Boxell 50, Vozzo 4/55) def The Basin 174 (Turcinovic 49, M.Heskes 39, Scanlan 5/43, McKenzie 3/52)
Stephen Lee Medal: Tom Boxell
DeCoite Shield
Upper Ferntree Gully 8/212 ( Dunlop 86, Luck 33) def Lysterfield 197 (Walsh 91, Binks 46, Colee 6/56, Salter 4/40)