Casey Cardinia Cricket Association: Emerald has finals berth taken away

Three days after celebrating making the CCCA District division finals, Emerald has been left “gutted” after an association ruling changed the make up of the final four.

Emerald has had its spot in the CCCA District finals taken away.

Three days after celebrating making the CCCA District division finals, Emerald has been left “gutted” after an association ruling changed the make up of the final four.

The Bombers were jubilant after beating Pakenham Upper Toomuc on Saturday to secure fourth spot, and a semi-final berth.

But on Tuesday night, the CCCA re-adjusted the ladder, replacing Emerald in the final four with Cranbourne Meadows, which successfully appealed a decision stemming from its Round 7 match against Gembrook.

That game wasn’t played and at the time no points were awarded.

But Cranbourne Meadows fought to be awarded six points for a draw, which it was successful in achieving on Tuesday night.

The six points lifted Cranbourne Meadows to 90 points — and up to fourth spot, ahead of Emerald, on 86 points.

Emerald captain-coach Owen Thorne said the Bombers were considering contacting Cricket Victoria to see if they could lodge an appeal.

“Obviously we’re pretty gutted that we are at this stage no longer playing finals,” Thorne said on Wednesday.

“We found out about it late last night…as a committee we’ve had a bit of a chat about it this morning and where it leaves us and what we can do.

“It’s a bit of mess that this decision has been changed three times. It’s kind of out of our hands at the moment, we’re just the casualty from it because it had nothing to do with us in the first place, we’re just the casualty of the fall out.”

Thorne said Emerald players were high-fiving each other on Saturday afternoon believing they’d made the finals.

“To find out now you’re not playing finals…yeah, it’s a bit of a kick in the face, for sure,” he said.

“We’re now sitting here wondering what’s happened.”

Thorne said even if Emerald was to appeal, he wondered if there was enough time for the hearing before Saturday’s semi-final.

“It’s Wednesday now and it’s only two days until the game is played, so nothing is going to happen between now and then,’’ he said.

“It’s not like they’re going to put the game on hold for us to complete an appeals decision.’’

CCCA District ladder:

Devon Meadows 146, Upper Beaconsfield 138, Lang Lang 96, Cranbourne Meadows 90, Emerald 86, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll 74, Pakenham Upper Toomuc 54, Gembrook 12.