CSB: The crunch moment that sent Bentleigh into a Championship division decider

Young guns and experienced performers came up big as Bentleigh qualified for a shot at South Caulfield in the Cricket Southern Bayside grand final.

Jarrad Dowling cuts on his way to 83 for Bentleigh on Saturday. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

It was the crunch moment that could define Bentleigh’s season.

Bonbeach, in reply to Bentleigh’s 8-274, progressed to 4-219 in the CSB Championship division semi-final on Sunday afternoon.

Bentleigh skipper Jarrad Dowling believed the semi was “slipping away” from his side as the partnership of Bonny pair Jack Bailey and George Darwood grew to 72.

But Bentleigh’s young spinner Luke Mott stepped up in the big moment — and teammate Brendan Drew did the rest — as Bailey holed out to Drew on the boundary.

“We needed a breakthrough and fortunately we got it, a brilliant catch by Drewy to get Bailey out,” Dowling said.

“The game was slipping away from us there at one point.”

Jarrad Dowling speaks with Josh Cantrell in between overs. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Mott took the next two wickets and fellow tweaker Josh Cantrell chimed in also as Bonbeach lost its last six wickets for 28 runs to be all out for 247.

Mott, who grew up at Bentleigh Cricket Club watching his dad Robert play First XI, collected 4-40 off 17 overs in what Dowling labelled as a match-winning performance.

“He bowled perfectly,” Dowling said.

“He didn’t bowl too many bad balls and those 17 overs were straight, he came on and took control of it.

“He bowled us to victory, no doubt.”

UK import Cantrell was also pivotal in the victory, taking 3-81 off 23.2 overs. He’s taken 34 wickets for the season.

Dowling also praised the glove work of Rob Ciccarella, who snaffled five catches, including two “blinders” — a diving catch in front of first slip to dismiss Bonbeach captain Tom Smith and a one-hander down leg side while up to the stumps off the bowling of Matt Chasemore.

Drew, who came into the Bentleigh side as a replacement for the suspended Ben Seabrook, took three catches.

Robbie Lancaster, right, of Bonbeach celebrates taking the wicket of Chamindu Mathra of Bentleigh. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

With the bat on Saturday, Bentleigh had a raft of contributors in the heat. Dowling led from the front with a defiant 83 off 139 balls to steer the Demons to 8-274.

Chasemore made 65 at the top and shared a 92-run stand with Chamindu Mathra (28). Cantrell (32), Jake La Brooy (20no) and Alan Abraham (12no) also made vital contributions.

Dowling said the oppressive conditions — bothdays were nudging 40 degrees — were as tough as he’s played in.

“Back to back days of the same thing was real hard,’’ he said.

Seabrook missed the game after being handed a one-match suspension for equipment abuse in the last round, but he will return to the Bentleigh side for the grand final against South Caulfield.

Dowling is looking forward to facing South Caulfield, declaring the sides have “a very good rivalry’’.

“Two teams with star power and depth,’’ he said.

Dowling said Bentleigh has a squad of 13 to pick from for the grand final.

“There’s a couple of injuries that we’re looking at…so we’ll just take the healthiest squad in,’’ he said.

“The thing we’ve got at Bentleigh is a club-first mentality, we always have. Everyone just wants the team to win.’’

Tom Smith of Bonbeach bowls. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Josh Cantrell. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

South Caulfield coasted to victory over Mentone in the other semi-final to secure its 12th grand final appearance in 13 years.

South new ball bowler Jak Jowett grabbed an early wicket and finished with 3-28 as Mentone was rolled for 132 on Saturday. Lewis Mildenhall was the star, though, taking 5-29 off 12 overs as the Tigers were shot out in 50.2 overs. Calum Fryer did best for Mentone, making 40.

In reply, South Caulfield opener Brad Erasmus made 82 off 105 balls and Mildenhall 32 not out off 105 balls as South achieved victory, at 3-136, in 47.3 overs.

Meanwhile, the Division 1 grand final will be contested by McKinnon and Murrumbeena after they both scored decisive semi-final wins.

McKinnon skipper Wade King took 5-27 to help dismiss South Caulfield for 95 and opener Luke Heath top scored with 37 as the home side made 174 in reply.

Murrumbeena turned the tables on Parkdale United in the other semi-final. In the last home and away game, Parkdale United humiliated Murrumbeena by dismissing it for 55 runs. But the Beena bounced back to beat the Pythons by 39 runs in the semi, with the star of the show left arm finger spinner Adam Fraine (6-71), with support from Tej Gandhi (2-68) and Troy Ryan (1-30).