Vic Super Slam: Essendon to face undefeated Carlton in semi-finals after loss to Melbourne
Undefeated Carlton stands between Essendon and a place in the Vic Super Slam Renegades conference final after the Bombers edged into the final eight on Tuesday.
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Undefeated Carlton stands between Essendon and a place in the Vic Super Slam Renegades conference final after the Bombers edged into the final eight on Tuesday.
Essendon went down by two wickets against Melbourne, but stayed ahead of the Demons on the table courtesy of their superior net run rate.
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A dashing 44 from skipper Matthew Brown and Sam Brewin’s knock of 35 from 24 balls lifted Melbourne to victory after the Bombers reached 6-148 batting first at the Albert Ground.
Melbourne Stars spinner Liam Bowe (3-31) and paceman Louis Cameron (2-22) were the best of Essendon’s bowlers, while James Seymour topscored with 38 from 34 deliveries.
The result pulled the Demons level with Essendon on six points, however the Dons finished with a net run rate of 0.41 compared to Melbourne’s 0.17.
Geelong (8-128) assumed second spot in the conference when it defeated Footscray (8-121), taking advantage of Carlton’s six-wicket win over Melbourne Uni.
The Students finished third and will face the Cats in the semi-final stage.
Charlie Ross (4-21), Tom Smyth (43) and Harry Smyth (42 not out) were the heroes for the Blues.
The conference semi-finals and final are due to be played on Sunday.
Northcote (-0.07 NRR) could pull level with Essendon on six points but would need a dramatic net run rate swing to snatch fourth spot.
The Dragons take on winless Fitzroy Doncaster on Wednesday night.
Dandenong was the big mover in the last qualifying round in the Stars conference, jumping into the top four with a resounding win over Ringwood.
Lincoln Edwards shone with 66 from 48 balls to lead the Panthers to a total of 8-138 before the Rams crumbled for 76 in reply.
Dandenong climbed above Casey-South Melbourne and Ringwood as a result and is due to meet Prahran in a semi-final.
The True Blues topped the Stars conference after a 21-run win against Kingston Hawthorn, while St Kilda also finished 5-1 after a six-run victory over Camberwell Magpies.
The Saints will meet Monash Tigers, who accounted for Frankston Peninsula by two wickets thanks to Marcus Berryman’s man-of-the-match performance.
Berryman snared 2-8 and hammered 45 from 24 balls in the Tigers’ triumph.
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