Premier Cricket 2018-19: Fitzroy Doncaster prevails over Camberwell Magpies in thrilling elimination final
Fitzroy Doncaster is through to the second week of Premier Cricket finals after knocking Camberwell Magpies out of the flag race in a tense elimination final.
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Fitzroy Doncaster is through to the second week of Premier Cricket finals after knocking Camberwell Magpies out of the flag race in a tense elimination final.
The Lions lost 4-14 to collapse to 8-196 in the final session before Nick Fletcher, Sam Elliott and Chris Moore calmly erased the final 23 runs to score a one-wicket win on a dramatic afternoon at Schramms Reserve.
Fletcher, a (very) late replacement for the injured Andrew Perrin, made a vital 9 before he hit a return catch to Will Walker with the score at 8-210, leaving Elliott and Moore to guide the home side to victory.
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Teenager Elliott was calm beyond his years, soaking up 25 deliveries to be nine not out, and Moore was unbeaten on 10.
Elliott gave a chance when he was put down by wicketkeeper Sam Newell when five runs were required for victory.
Newell dived to his right but dropped the chance that could have advanced Camberwell to the semi-final and just its second finals win this decade, only for Moore to hit the winning runs the following over.
The victory set up a grand final replay against Dandenong after Carlton batted out for a draw in the qualifying final.
“It’s always tough in finals and they have a serious attack. We knew it was always going to be tough work coming out after tea when we still needed 50 to win and six wickets in hand,” Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi said.
“We wanted to try get it done with as many wickets in hand but they kept coming and to their credit they bowled really well.”
Camberwell captain Andrew Fekete threatened to be the hero for the Magpies, returning 5-73 off 26.3 overs.
The Victorian quick grabbed five of the first six wickets, but his efforts were to no avail as Fitzroy Doncaster kept its hopes alive of featuring in a fourth consecutive final.
Left-arm pair Walker (2-70 off 21 overs) and Matthew Whittaker (1-39 off 22 overs) were also superb, applying relentless pressure and creating numerous chances.
Jack Rudd (48) batted through the first session on day two after Camberwell put up 219 through Simon Hill (58) and Ben Rowles (44). James Rosewarne (32 not out) and Oli Gunning (29) also made important contributions.
But Rudd became Fekete’s second victim when he was trapped lbw before Peter Dickson and Nat Vardi put on a 51-run stand for the third wicket.
The union took Fitzroy Doncaster to 3-163 before Vardi fell for his 13th score between 13 and 54 this season, also pinned lbw to depart for 29.
Dickson (49) and Trent Lawford (1) both had their stumps disturbed by Fekete in quick succession before Liam Banthorpe flashed at one from Walker, giving Newell a simple catch.
It left the Lions 7-188, which became 8-196 when Alavi edged one from Whittaker.
But the tail of Fletcher, Elliott and Moore absorbed Camberwell’s push for victory to give the Lions a famous win.
“Just a great feeling and obviously haven’t had the greatest run since Christmas so just to get a win on the board and find a way to win from a tough situation with two wickets in hand, 23 to get, I was really proud of the group,” Alavi said.
“We knew we batted all the way to 11, Moorey has batted at No. 8 before in First XI cricket and definitely can hold the stick.
“We were going to back him and Sammy’s obviously done it multiple times this year with the bat as well. To have them at 10 and 11 was a luxury and just showed our depth.”
Perrin was withdrawn just moments before the warm up on day one after suffering back spasms on Thursday night.
“He was just tightening up … he has to prove his fitness to be ready to bowl 15, 20 overs next week if we pick him to play,” Alavi said.
“If he’s not fit, we’ll back ourselves in with the cattle we have.”
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