Premier Cricket 2023-24: Ringwood defeats Richmond in semi-final

It was a slog, but Ringwood finds itself one win from its first top-flight men’s decider in years as some usual suspects fired – and a teen prodigy was unearthed.

David King put on a crucial 67 runs for the Rams in their semi-final win. Photo by Josh Chadwick

ITS first grand final in eight years beckons.

Ringwood will contest a second consecutive preliminary final following a 48-run victory over Richmond, grinding its way to 161.

A date with Casey South Melbourne awaits, with the Rams shooting for their first top-flight men’s decider since 2015-16.

Leading the semi-final charge on the weekend was captain David King with a 67-run knock.

His season is closing in on 500 runs, lifting his total to 478.

“We were disappointed with our batting on the whole, but David played very well – he looked really in control and has been looking really good in all his innings recently, so we’re hoping a big score is around the corner for him,” Ringwood coach Sean Flynn said.

“It was a bit of a battle … we were 9-140 but just to scramble up to that 161 just gave us that little bit more wiggle room.

“We feel like we got out of jail only making that low total.”

Richmond celebrate taking the wicket of Jackson Freeman. Photo by Josh Chadwick

Meanwhile, Matt Fotia collected 4-33 off 19 overs, including the scalps of top-order Tigers Dan Scholz and Rhys Healy, in a campaign yielding 32 wickets at 21.22.

Flynn said the paceman combined nicely with Lachie Bangs (2-14 off nine) to help turn the tide.

“We weren’t at our best on Saturday night … on Sunday we came back and tightened the game up – everyone who got thrown the ball did a great job,” he said.

“After lunch it was Matt Fotia and Lachie Bangs (starring with the ball) … in the hour after lunch we took them from 3-90 to 7-90, so that was a really significant moment in the match.”

Impressing on debut was teenager Archie Flynn, son of Sean, earning a call-up following a half-century in the Second XI against Carlton.

He’s represented Vic Metro in the under-17 male national championships this season, making the team of the tournament.

He made a modest five runs on the weekend, but the coach said Archie didn’t look out of place amid the crucible-like pressure of finals.

“We just felt it was a good time to inject him into the side,” Flynn said.

“He had been solid in the seconds and the strong national carnival … he played well for us in the firsts and looked OK until he got out, but it’s something for him to build on going into the Casey game.”

The Rams lost the preliminary final last year – with most of last season’s team set for another crack.

“Our squad’s really solid – I think there’s three changes to last year’s team and eight are going around again,” Flynn said.

“They’re (preliminary finals) always hard games to win.

“We know they’re a really strong, mature team and it’ll be a really good battle out at Casey and we look forward to it.”

Preliminary final: Casey South Melbourne vs. Ringwood, March 16-17 at Casey Fields.