ECA 2020-21: North Balwyn qualifies for fifth consecutive grand final
North Balwyn is a perennial contender in the ECA’s top grade, but its skipper says all the pressure is on East Doncaster ahead of this weekend’s grand final.
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North Balwyn skipper Nitesh Patel has turned up the heat on rival East Doncaster ahead of this weekend’s mouth-watering Eastern Cricket Association grand final.
The Bulls advanced to the Dunstan Shield decider after a tie against Canterbury in a thrilling semi-final on Saturday, setting the stage for an engrossing conclusion to the 2020-21 campaign.
East Doncaster finished the home-and-away rounds 18 points clear on top of the ladder with a 12-1-1 record.
It was just as dominant last season before its premiership dream was shattered by eventual premier North Balwyn in the semi-finals.
The Bulls are preparing for their fifth consecutive grand final and sixth in the past seven seasons, giving them confidence they can cause another boilover as they chase back-to-back titles.
They have claimed the ultimate prize twice during their era of success – in 2016-17 and 2019-20 – and finished runners-up three times.
“They’ve been the standout side, but anything can happen in a final, particularly a grand final,” Patel said of star-studded East Doncaster.
“We’ll certainly be playing with confidence and almost got nothing to lose in a way because they’re the ones expected to win it after the season they’ve had.
“So we can play with freedom and take it to them.
“We’re certainly going in with confidence after (Saturday). To get through like that, you feel like things are going your way and you’ve got the rub of the green.
“If that continues for another game, there’s no reason why we can’t go all the way.”
North Balwyn was bowled out for 169 on Saturday before Canterbury reached 8-169 from its 40 overs, the home team advancing as the higher-ranked side.
The Berries needed nine runs from the final over and two from the last ball, with a run out securing the Bulls a spot in the decider.
The visitors fought valiantly after falling to 3-5 and then 4-27, with Chris Moore (67 from 89 balls) and Jesse Greenwood (60 from 83) combining for a 106-run stand to give Canterbury a shot at victory.
But it fell painfully short of progressing, with Kaushick Maheshwaran (2-31) bowling superbly for North Balwyn in the dying stages, while James Binney returned 4-33.
“Credit goes to him as a younger guy to be able to hold his nerve through that period,” Patel said of Maheshwaran.
Earlier, Max Tomkinson held the Bulls’ innings together with a fine knock of 63 at the top of the order.
Tomkinson was sidelined for last season’s grand final triumph because of a hamstring injury, but he has found form at the right time, registering four half-centuries from his past five innings after a lean start to 2020-21.
“He had one of his poorer seasons last year and that continued the first half of this season, but he really turned the corner against Marcellin (in Round 10),” Patel said.
“It’s great to see him turn his form around and go back to the way we know he can bat.
“His innings was the reason why we got a competitive score on the board. Without that, we were struggling. It was brilliant.”
In the other semi, East Doncaster was wobbling at 5-55 in response to Mont Albert’s 153.
But star recruit Peter Dickson showcased his enduring class and experience to compile an unbeaten 70 from 105 deliveries and guide his side to a four-wicket win.
He found a willing ally in Riley Jones, who contributed 33 from 64 in what proved a match-winning 86-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Patel said the Bulls’ experience on the big stage would be vital against a quality opponent.
“We’ve been there and experienced it. That helps when it comes to things like nerves,” he said.
“We just need to hopefully win this last one and get another premiership.
“Back-to-back would be massive for us.”
The grand final will be staged at Zerbes Reserve on Saturday, with the first ball set for 12.30pm.
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