SSV Gippsland – Year 7 Cricket

After another nail-bitting last over result against Marist-Sion Warragul, our Year 7 Boys fell just short of making it to the SSV State Quarter Final.

Game 1 – Gippsland Semi-Final vs Wonthaggi SC
In their first match of the day, the team had a solid victory against Wonthaggi SC. Batting first, we made 4/106 with solid contributions from Waltley Sutton (23) and Jay Diamond (20), while some great late hitting from Oakley Pearson (33* off 22) helped us amass 60 runs from the last 8 overs. Our South Gippsland opponents began well in their chase, racing to 0/30. Tyson Dobson was brought on with near-immediate success, claiming two wickets and finishing with 2/16 from his four overs. Wickets from Ryan Phelan (2/20) and Zac Felsbourg (1/6) allowed us to restrict Wonthaggi to 6/87.

Game 2 – Gippsland Final vs Marist-Sion Warragul
After losing the toss and being asked to bowl, Warragul were quick out of the blocks, accumulating 47 runs after seven overs, without loss. Charlie Fry came on to bowl his second over, with a short, slower ball doing the trick to dismiss Warragul’s dangerous opener. A run out two deliveries later, and a double strike from Jack Kelly (2/17) in the 11th over swung momentum back our way, but some strong lower order hitting from Warragul saw them claim back ascendency and post a difficult 6/137.

Our opponents started well in their defence, bowling tight and taking regular wickets. After ten overs, we were 3/36, not without hope, but still a significant distance from victory. Another wicket reduced us to 4/50, but with skipper Jay Diamond set at the crease and Oakley Pearson coming off his 33* off 22 in the previous game, we were still an, albeit slim, chance. The pair went about forging an 82-run partnership from the last eight overs. Jay finished on 39* and Oakley again put in a claim for man of the match, rocketing 48* not out from 32 deliveries. Despite a valiant effort, we would fall 5 runs short; our 25 extras with the ball costing us.