Cricket Southern Bayside 2020-21: South Caulfied go one up in grand final series

A nail-biter, a popped shoulder and an abandoned game...the best-of-three grand final series between Beaumaris and South Caulfield had it all — and there’s more to come.

South Caulfield keeper Zac Hanson celebrates a wicket on Saturday. He was injured on Sunday. Picture: Ron Weil

South Caulfield star Brad Erasmus smashed a six to give his side a gripping one-wicket win over Beaumaris in game one of the CSB Championship division best-of-three grand final series Saturday.

But South’s hopes of wrapping up the series on Sunday were scuttled by rain; Beaumaris was 4-75 off 19.2 overs in game two when play was abandoned.

It means the season will continue into the last weekend of March, with game two to start from scratch on Saturday and game three, if required, to be played on Sunday.

South Caulfield may have to make a change to its side after wicketkeeper Zac Hanson injured his shoulder while diving to take a ball down leg side on Sunday morning.

He couldn’t move his wing and South captain Will Russell had to take the gloves.

South Caulfield beat Beaumaris in a thriller at Banskia Reserve on Saturday. Picture: Ron Weil

Saturday’s series opener was a tight and tense battle.

Erasmus, batting at No.6, lifted Beaumaris spinner Cameron Watts straight down the ground for six to give South Caulfield victory in the 34th over as South, 9-115, chased down Beaumaris’ 109 on a seaming wicket.

Scores were tied and the field was in when Erasmus (48no off 66 balls, with 4 fours and 2 sixes) made sweet connection.

Earlier, Beaumaris squandered a good start to be dismissed for 109. Sharks opener Aidan Fulcher (29 off 65) and No.3 Lachlan Fryer (36 off 58) put on 53 after in-form Sharks skipper Sam Coates (4) was caught at slip early off the bowling of Henry Hall (3-8 off 8 overs).

South Caulfield’s Jono Curtis (3-23) and Luke Mahon (3-21) also impressed with the ball.

“We were 1-60 at drinks and then we had a bad 20 overs to be bowled out,” Beaumaris skipper Coates said.

“But then we bowled bloody well and it was a close game. We needed one wicket, they needed five runs and they got them.”

South Caulfield players celebrate a wicket on Saturday. Picture: Ron Weil

Coates said little separates the two sides, and a strong rivalry exists as the flag race reaches boiling point.

“It’s been a couple of years now, I think the biggest margin has been about 10 runs,” he said.

“So, red balls and white balls...there’s only ever a wicket or a few balls in it.

“Neither team is ever out of it, I think we’ve both got a lot of confidence playing each other.”

Coates is backing his Sharks to bounce back and win on Saturday to force the series into a deciding game three on Sunday.

“That’s the plan. We’re playing for survival,” he said.

“We’ll have a crack on Saturday and if we’re good enough, then great, if not then South deserve it.”

Coates believes his side will respond under pressure.

“James Miller is probably the best player in the comp and he didn’t get a wicket and made golden duck, so I wouldn’t expect that to ever happen again,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s necessarily a key player. We just need our top order to make runs to put a nice score on the board or chase a nice score.

“If that doesn’t happen well we’ll probably struggle but they are in the same boat.”

Beaumaris’ Will Avery (3-16) and Chris Hall (3-16) bowled beautifully on Saturday.