DDCA: U16 Turf finals marred by player qualification drama

A junior cricket team from Melbourne’s east could be ousted from its grand final this Sunday after several players were deemed ineligible after playing in the semi.

A junior cricket team from Melbourne’s outer east could be be booted from the grand final after player qualification drama.

Beaconsfield’s Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) under-16 turf side won’t know if it will take on Buckley Ridges in Sunday’s grand final until less than 24 hours before the game as it awaits the outcome of an appeal hearing.

The Tigers could be replaced by Berwick, who they initially defeated by 26 runs in the semi-final, before the DDCA’s audit of player eligibility found that Beaconsfield had fielded unqualified players.

The eligibility of three players was disputed by the league.

This masthead understands Berwick did not appeal the initial semi-final result, but rather were informed by the DDCA that Beaconsfield had been disqualified and the Bears would progress instead.

“Beaconsfield have played players without a permit, we’ve given the win to Berwick and now Beaconsfield are appealing that,” DDCA secretary Tara Hill confirmed.

Beaconsfield announced on Thursday that it would be appealing the league’s decision to disqualify it from the decider.

“Following a number of queries from our members, supporters, parents, players, sponsors and friends, Beaconsfield Cricket Club would like to provide an update that we are appealing the decision that deemed some of our players unqualified players in the U16 Turf semi-final,” the club’s statement read.

“We believed prior to the game these players had qualified, and maintain that stance today with strong evidence referencing the DDCA Junior Rules 2024-25.

“We hope to be supporting our young stars this Sunday in a Grand Final, a game that they deserve to play in.

“We will not comment further until the appeal process has run its course.”

The appeal to determine which side progresses to the grand final will be heard on Saturday morning, less than 24 hours before the grand final is due to begin at 8.30am on Sunday.