Adelaide, Sturt, Adelaide University and Glenelg vying for grade cricket finals positions in last round
One team is looking for its first finals appearance in more than a decade as the grade cricket season reaches boiling point this Saturday with four sides chasing the last two major-round spots.
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The grade cricket finals race is set to reach boiling point as four sides battle for two spots in a scorching last round beginning this Saturday.
Adelaide, Glenelg, Adelaide University and Sturt – separated from third to sixth by less than a win – are all hoping to join leading sides Kensington and Tea Tree Gully in the top four.
The Seahorses face the toughest test when they host the Bulls at Glenelg Oval, while the Blues and Blacks will do battle at Price Memorial Oval.
The Buffalos are away to Port Adelaide and hold their fate in their own hands.
A win would mean a first finals appearance in more than a decade.
Here is a wrap of all the action in a lively round 12.
ADELAIDE 269
STURT 185
Sturt is not only facing a must-win final round two-day grade fixture but it is also relying on other results to go its way to secure a top-four berth.
The Blues lost their spot in there after going down to Adelaide at Glandore Oval on Saturday.
The visitors were chasing 269 and resumed at 4/83 but were restricted to 185.
Tom Kelly, who was dismissed on day one, topscored for the Blues with 49.
His brother, Corey Kelly, who was batting at No.11, was next best with 39.
No Sturt batsman could make the most of their starts, as Brinder Phagura (8) Ty Watson (17), Euan Woods (15) and Charlie Parker (11) all fell cheaply.
Earlier, on day one, Phagura (3/70) and Corey Kelly (3/12) were the pick of the bowlers and worked hard to restrict the Buffalos to a gettable target.
Sturt dropped down to sixth on the ladder with six wins, two draws, three losses and 130 points.
The Blues play fifth-placed Adelaide University in the final round at home, starting this Saturday.
They must win and hope Glenelg loses to Tea Tree Gully to make the finals.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT 206
KENSINGTON 150
Veteran Shaun Tanner has spun Southern District to a remarkable upset victory in their top-versus-bottom grade cricket clash against Kensington at Bice Oval on Saturday.
Tanner took an equal career-high 6/55 to help the Stingrays bowl the high-flying Browns out for 150 chasing 206 and record their second victory of the season.
Kensington’s Elliot Opie made a battling 42 not out but the Browns crumbled as Tanner did the damage across his 22.3 overs.
His career-best haul of 6/44 came during the 2010/11 season.
Ben Twohig took 2/21, while Jake Marshall and Tom Hynes snared a wicket each.
The Stingrays made 2/69 from 20 overs in their second dig.
Southern’s other win this season came against West Torrens in round five.
Kensington remained on top of the ladder, despite the loss, and face the Eagles in the final round.
TEA TREE GULLY 6/358
NORTHERN DISTRICTS 71 & 94
Tea Tree Gully cemented its spot in grade cricket’s top four by dominating Northern Districts to take a valuable outright victory on Saturday.
The Bulls declared at 6/358 on day two at Petaringa Oval and then rolled the Jets for 94 after skittling them for 71 in the first innings.
Young quick Tim Oakley was the star again with the ball as he matched his 5/17 hall on day one by snaring 5/29.
He leads the competition for wickets with 32 for the season.
The Bulls are now guaranteed a finals position with one round still to play. They are second, five points behind Kensington, but 35 points ahead of third side Adelaide. They take on the Seahorses at Glenelg Oval this Saturday.
Northern Districts player/coach Mark Cosgrove implored his side to finish its disappointing two-day grade cricket campaign strongly.
The Jets, 12th, host Southern District, 11th, in the final minor round.
Cosgrove said it was important for players to give 100 per cent and finish with a win this Saturday.
“It’s been a little bit of a disappointing year, especially this round, the past two weeks,” Cosgrove said.
“We are a very young team at the moment.
“I’m 34 and Mitch (Thomas) is 25, but all the others are around 18, 19 and early 20s.
“So hopefully we can bounce back (this week) and move on from that.
“It’s really important (to win this week).
“We are already looking forward to next year, getting some more coaches and some more support structure around the players to hopefully rebuild for next year.”
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY 9/379 & 0/0dec
EAST TORRENS 266 & 6/116
Adelaide University’s aggressive approach has secured it first innings points but not an outright victory as it pushes to make the grade cricket finals.
The Blacks, equal fourth with Glenelg but behind on percentage, bowled East Torrens out for 266 chasing 9/379 and then declared without batting in their second dig University Oval on Saturday.
It left the Reds with 114 needed for victory and they were up to the task, making it to 6/116 to share points.
Uni takes on fellow finals hopeful Sturt, sixth, with both sides needing victory in the final minor round to be a chance of making the top four.
East Torrens is out of the finals mix but found some form ahead of a national Twenty20 tournament to be held in Adelaide by taking points from the Blacks.
They will play the country’s top grade cricket sides in the T20 competition beginning Tuesday.
WOODVILLE 3/420dec
WEST TORRENS 7/281
Local rivals Woodville and West Torrens played out a draw in their high-scoring grade cricket clash at Henley Grange Memorial Oval on Saturday.
The Peckers piled on 3/420 before declaring early on day two but the Eagles were able to hold on to make 7/281 and split the points.
West Torrens opener Bailey Capel was resolute with 98 from 168 balls before he was run out.
Englishman Matthew Stiddard smashed an unbeaten 185 to lead the Peckers’ innings.
The Eagles are eighth on the ladder with four wins, three draws and four losses, while Woodville is 10th. Both sides are unable to make finals.
PROSPECT 8/295dec
PORT ADELAIDE 3/334
Port Adelaide’s Aaron Sayers was in top form as he made an unconquered 166 to guide his side to victory over Prospect at Prospect Oval.
The Pirates’ 8/295 declared was not enough as the Magpies finished on 3/334. Sayers hit 21 fours and five sixes in a standout knock from 207 balls.
Luke Reynolds (45), skipper Nick Benton (49*), Damon Kerr (38) and Adam Dilley (29) all chipped in to push Port to a strong score.
Eight Prospect batsman made starts on day one but none were able to convert early runs to a big score.
The Pirates sit bottom of the ladder with one win on the season, while Port is seventh and unable to make finals.
THIS WEEK
Northern Districts v Southern District @ Salisbury Oval
Glenelg v Tea Tree Gully @ Glenelg Oval
Kensington v West Torrens @ Kensington Gardens Reserve
Woodville v Prospect @ Woodville Oval
Port Adelaide v Adelaide @ Port Adelaide Reserve
Sturt v Adelaide University @ Price Memorial Oval
East Torrens – bye
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