It was a disappointing end for both Caroline Springs and Burnside Springs United in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association semi finals.
Both teams entered their respective finals series in second position, but the home ground advantage meant little come the weekend.
Burnside Springs’ first VTCA Russell Pollock Shield finals series came to an agonising end,
Hosting Seabrook, Burnside sent in Seabrook and had them in trouble at 3-3 with three of the top four out for ducks.
Seabrook was further in trouble at 5-30, before the middle order set about rescuing the innings.
Seabrook managed to get to 181 before being bowled out in the 60th over.
Tim Stephens took 3-18 for Burnside to be the pick of the bowlers.
Burnside started well in the run chase putting on 53 for the first wicket. It lost three quick wickets and was soon 5-98.
The wickets continued to fall as Burnside got closer to the total. It got to 8-167 before losing the last two wickets for one run.
Burnside was bowled out for 168 in the 62nd over.
Skipper Mathew Sanders top scored with 60.
Seabrook will face Sunshine YCW in the grand final, after the Cougars upset minor premiers Donnybrook.
In the Roy Picone Shield, Caroline Springs’ finals campaign also ended at the first hurdle.
After finishing second, having been on top of the ladder for much of the season, the Falcons hosted Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s on Saturday and Sunday.
The Falcons were sent in and were quickly in trouble with both openers back in the sheds early on.
It was soon 3-11 when Reece Blackman was out and then a couple more wickets saw the Falcons crumble to 5-43.
The middle order set about rescuing the innings and they pushed the score push 100, then 150 and then 200.
The Falcons eventually finished 9-242 after 77 overs.
Roshan Laksiri was the star of the show for the Falcons, making 112 not out of 132 balls.
His innings included 12 fours.
The Falcons got off to the perfect start with the ball and having the Lions at 4-54 were right in the match.
Similar to the Falcons innings, the middle order fired and got the team back into the game.
The Lions eventually got the runs with three overs to spare, finishing 6-243.
Damith Priyadarshana took four wickets for the Falcons.
The Lions will face Williamstown Imperials in the grand final. The Imperials got an outright win against Point Cook in the other semi final.
