Melton Centrals has snuck into the grand final of the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket North West B T20 grand final.
Centrals, in their second season, needed a few different things to go their way in the final round and it all fell into place, much to the delight of the side.
Three sides entered the final round, including Centrals and their opponent Geelong, on 20 points with an eye on finishing second behind EMP/Willy Congs, which was four points ahead.
A fourth side Coburg 2 had also been on 20 points, but had lost the four points it had achieved in second last round against Centrals, for playing an ex-Australian player which isn’t allowed in this grade.
The match between Geelong and Centrals was the first game due to be played on Sunday. The game didn’t go ahead due to the wet weather meaning the ground wasn’t in a state to play, with both teams awarded two points.
It meant the second finals spot would come down to the EMP/Willy Congs and Gisborne match.
Centrals captain-coach Candace Hulett said there was certainly some nerves while they were waiting for the result.
“We had a day out in Geelong as a team,” she said.
“We did some training and had some lunch. Everyone was trying to keep track of the scores.
“We needed EMP to do us a favour and they did. We were a bit lucky with the results on Sunday.”
The results meant Centrals finished percentage ahead of Geelong and two points clear of Coburg and Gisborne.
Hulett said they were ecstatic to have made it through to the final two.
“The girls are so pumped,” she said. “Everyone has worked so hard.
“My goal was to make the final and making a grand final is even better.
“Many of these girls have never played in a final, let alone in a grand final.
“Win, loss or draw, I’m proud of the girls.”
Hulett, the most experienced player in the Centrals squad, said the key for her side was to make sure they just played their normal game and enjoyed the moment.
Centrals has split its two games with EMP this season, with Centrals winning the most recent of the two games.
“Hopefully we get them in the best of three,” Hulett said.
“We started off slowly and we’re played pretty good cricket at the moment, at the right time of the season.”
The grand final will be played on Sunday, with the location still to be decided.
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http://www.starweekly.com.au/sports/craigieburn-nails-t20-finals-berth/
