DDCA Turf 1: Buckley Ridges runs down Berwick to go into grand final

Buckley Ridges is into the Turf 1 grand final, and HSD and Doveton are in deciders too after memorable semi-final victories.

Buckley Ridges players sing the song after defeating Berwick.

It was a reply made of the Wright stuff.

Minor premier Buckley Ridges became the first team into the DDCA Turf 1 grand final after overhauling a gallant Berwick in their second semi-final at Park Oval on Saturday.

The Bears put up 7-226 off their 45 overs after an excellent innings of 63 from Damith Mapa Ralalage.

But the Bucks answered brilliantly, hitting their target in the 44th over, four wickets down.

Their captain, former English County player Ben Wright, led the way with 104 from the opening slot.

His first century of the season included 10 fours – one of which took him into three figures – and 2 sixes.

Ben Wright after his century for Buckley Ridges.

In a period after he reached 50 he also hit 18 consecutive singles, happy to take the ones in a matchwinning partnership with Jayson Hobbs.

The pair put on 95, with Hobbs batting through for 57 not out, with 3 fours and 2 sixes.

Wright said the wicket at Park had been “unbelievable’’ recently and his team had chased down 7-254 two weeks ago.

“We actually felt 226 was probably a bit below par,’’ he said.

“We just felt that if we kept wickets in hand and built a few partnerships it was certainly chaseable.

“We had to weather the early storm of (Andrew) Perrin and (James) Wilcock and we went about it nice and sensibly. We kept it ticking along and didn’t have to take too many risks. We just tried to be as busy as possible.’’

Bucks keeper Troy Aust watches as Berwick batsman Damith Mapa Ralalage hits out. Picture: Valeriu Campan

He said Hobbs had “come into his own’’ in the past three matches and his teammates valued his contribution.

As for his century, Wright, who played 89 first-class matches, said he’d had a “frustrating’’ season and was pleased to make it in a final.

It took his run aggregate to 451 at 34.7.

Wright said Mapa Ralalage played well for Berwick and was a “very good player’’.

Buckley Ridges has next weekend off and the skipper said his team would appreciate the break.

“It’s been a long season. It comes at a good time. But we’ll get some good practice in over the next two weeks,’’ he said.

Buckley Ridges players celebrate a wicket. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Berwick will meet Springvale South in the preliminary final after the Bloods thrashed Narre South at Strathaird Reserve.

Sent in, Narre South was knocked over for 62 in 32.4 overs, an inglorious performance with which to end a commendable season.

Opener Morteza Ali made 26 but no other player reached double figures.

Spinner Akshat Buch took 3-16 off seven overs for the Bloods, who cruised to 1-66 off 25.4 overs, openers Mitch Forsyth (29no) and Ryan Quirk (26) putting up 50.

As for the wicket, it was soft and turned square for Buch from the first ball. Springy South had the best of the conditions. That said, some of the Narre South batsmen perished to poor strokes.

There was an upset in Turf 2 when runaway minor premier Cranbourne fell to fourth-placed HSD.

Buckley Ridges bowler Hussain Ali. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A swing and a miss for Berwick batsman Riley Siwes. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Former Dandenong First XI player Triyan De Silva had a match to remember, taking 5-35 off seven overs and then spanking 106 not out off 88 balls, with 13 fours.

Cranny had reached 184, with Gartside Medal winner Peter Sweeney cracking 80 and his brother Mick 36, but it wasn’t enough as the talented De Silva, a former Victorian under-age squad member, and Kevin Seth (58no) lifted their team from 4-30 to 4-187.

Parkmore Pirates (1-147, Johann Brohier 80 not out) eased past Parkfield (8-144) in the other Turf 2 semi.

In Turf 3 Doveton pulled off a thrilling run-chase victory over Coomora.

The Doves needed two runs off the last ball of the match and Ricky Johnson got them as the host team finished at 7-181 in reply to 5-179.

“Probably the best win I’ve played in,’’ Doveton stalwart Nathan Wilson declared.

A wide that went for four helped the Doves in the final over.

Simon Mackie was the star of the run chase with an innings of 93 off 110 balls, with 6 sixes and 4 fours.

Wilson called it a “super knock … he single-handedly got us back … he deserved a ton’’.

The win was a great lifter for the Doves, who experienced some tough seasons after slipping out of Turf 1.

Club greats Ryan Hendy and Wilson returned in 2019-20 to figure in the Turf 4 premiership.

Doveton and Springvale will meet in the grand final after the Vales (3-79) swept past Silverton (77).

Michael De Kauwe (4-21) put the most hits on the Silverton scorecard.