Saints face Muckleford in cricket semi-final

IT’S a must-win situation for Heathcote’s  and Muckleford’s cricket teams as they contest Saturday’s first semi-final in the A-reserve competition run by the Castlemaine DCA at Maiden Gully.

The Saints and Muckleford will fight to stay in the premiership race as they clash on Bake Mate Senior Oval at Marist College in Maiden Gully from 1.30pm.

Both have this seasons showdowns between the clubs were won by Muckleford.

The Rhys Ashen-captained Heathcote has won five of its past eight matches to surge into the finals.

The Saints played brilliant cricket in last Saturday’s match against Castlemaine United at Camp Reserve to win by nine wickets.

Tim Gleeson took 4-17 off eights and spin bowler Nick Malavisi captured 2-19 off eight as Castlemaine United was dismissed for 88 in the 29^th over.

Heathcote’s chase was led by opening batter Daniel Butler as he struck four sixes and five fours in an unbeaten 60 from 42 deliveries.

Gleeson’s knock of 17 not out at number three included a six and two fours as Heathcote reached the target in 10.1 overs.

After consecutive defeats in round 12 and 13 and then docked points from its win against Campbells Creek in round 14, Heathcote struck back to win at Taradale by nine wickets and then at Campbells Creek by four wickets.

The Saints collapsed dramatically in run chases at Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve in round three and then at Mapson Timmins Oval in Muckleford in the ninth round.

First of this season’s clashes between the first semi-finalists ended in a 55-run win for Muckleford.

Ryley Brennan hit top score of 30 as Muckleford was bowled out for 112 in the 38^th over on Heathcote’s turf.

The visitors crashed from 3-80 against a Saints attack led by Malavisi, 3-35; Ashen, 2-13; and Elijah Hurley, 2-21.

The Saints were 2-19 but hit back to be 3-42.

From there it was all Muckleford as the Saints lost 7-15 to be all out 57.

Muckleford’s attack was led by Nash Turner, 4-13 off 5.4; David Envall, 3-7 off six; and Lachlan Green, 2-18 off seven.

In round nine, Heathcote chose to bowl at Muckleford.

The hosts reached 8-157 as Marty Sharples, 35; Tim Gingell, 32; Jackson Davis, 17; and captain Lachlan Green, 16, batted well.

Brian Austin took 3-34 off eight and Ben Poulton claimed 2-35 off eight.

A 69-run opening stand between Brad Rowe and Daniel Butler put the Saints in control.

When Rowe, 34, and Butler, 37, were dismissed in the space of four runs the Saints slumped from 2-73 to all out 109.

Nash Turner captured 3-7 off 23 deliveries as  Thomas Smith, 3-25 off eight; and Lachlan Green, 2-36 off eight, turned up the heat.

In Saturday’s second semi-final it will be North Castlemaine against Taradale at Barkers Creek Oval from 1.30pm.

Final standings after 18 rounds of one-day matches in the Castlemaine DCA’s A-reserve competition:

North Castlemaine 156 points, 2.018; Taradale 150, 2.249; Heathcote 102, 1.173; Muckleford 102, 1.097; Campbells Creek Colts 102, 0.845; Castlemaine United 90, 0.948; Newstead 78, 0.899; Harcourt 54, 0.420; Maiden Gully Lions 30, 0.621.