The stars who lifted their clubs into DVCA grand finals

The Diamond Valley Cricket Association grand finals are set. Here’s who lit up their respective semi-finals with matchwinning performances, from star batters to bowlers who made runs for fun.

Tom Bourke played a key role for Rosanna in their semi-final win. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

The Diamond Valley Cricket Association finals threw up plenty of surprises.

We break down every semi-final from across the top three grades.

BARCLAY SHIELD

Bundoora def. Riverside

Bundoora arrived into the finals series in form and despite entering as the lowest ranked side, they produced a stunning effort to beat minor premier Riverside. Shupinder Taggar led the way with 4-36 and Narinder Singh claimed 3-17 as Riverside were rolled for 91 on day one. Taggar led the way with the bat in response, scoring 58 runs off 68 balls, as Bundoora was all out for 167. Andrew Villani did his best to will Riverside back into the contest with 7-47. With no decision but to chase an outright win, Riverside posted 6-167dec as Dillon Pote top scored with 46 off 49. Bundoora cruised in response with 2-55.

Rosanna 190 def. North Eltham Wanderers 168 by 22 runs

Rosanna earned the right to host the grand final after matchwinning performances from Tom Bourke, Oliver Toussaint and Josh Henkel. Bourke led the way with the bat on day one, scoring 62 off 139, as the home side posted 190 all out as Adam Tsapatsaris took 5-57 for the Wanderers. In response, the Wanderers were on the back foot when both openers were removed for ducks by Toussaint. He eventually finished with figures of 5-37 while Henkel claimed 4-33.

MONEY SHIELD

Rosebank 8-188 def. Bundoora Park 8-187 by two wickets

Rosebank’s hopes of reaching the grand final probably looked over after a horror start when they slumped to 6-27 but then the lower order came to the rescue. Ravindu Dilshan hit an unbeaten 92no off 140, combining with Ned Red (60 off 104) to rip their side from the jaws of defeat. They shared a 150-run partnership before Reid was dismissed but in the end it was a stand which got them close enough. It was only fitting Dilshan hit the winning runs. Bundoora Park posted 187 on day one with Brad Fox’s 41 off 176 the top score.

Eltham 4-133 def. Plenty 131 by six wickets

Matthew Chrimes was the hero with the bat for the Panthers as he hit a powerful 80 off 118 alongside Liam Rushton-McCoach’s 46 off 169 as Eltham secured a comfortable win. Plenty only managed 131 on day one as Andrew Lamont took 3-15 from 15 overs in a dynamic display of bowling. Despite the loss of Lamont, who opened the batting for nothing, the Power weren’t able to find another way through the Eltham batting line-up.

MASH SHIELD

Rivergum 1-154 def. Hurstbridge 153 by nine wickets

Rivergum is on the brink of a historic introduction to the DVCA with a premiership win. The minor premier powered through the semi in comprehensive fashion with bat and ball. Jarrod Bannister took 3-31 alongside Corey Altis (2-31) and Matt Perri (2-30) as Hurstbridge scored 153 behind a half-century from Jacob Carruthers. Paul Unkles led home the run chase with 83 not out of 159 including 12 boundaries.

Mernda 180 def. Laurimar 115 by 65 runs

The visitors won through to the decider on the back of strong batting contributions at the top and bottom of the order. Satinder Sekhon came in at first drop and scored 45 off 68, building on a 46-run opening partnership, before Noah Dodd (34no) added valuable lower order runs. Mernda posted 180 on day one. Lachlan Taylor was the hero with the ball for Mernda, taking 5-31 off 21.1 as early wickets put Laurimar on the back foot.