By Tara Murray
Melton South Royals are finally through to a Victorian Turf Cricket Association first XI grand final after many near misses.
Having been around the mark firstly in the Russell Pollock Shield and now the Evans-Clark Shield, the Royals have always fallen short of that last game of the season.
But not this season, with the Royals to face East Coburg this weekend in a two-day grand final.
“It’s nice to have our ones and twos in the grand final,” said Royals opening bat Blake Ivory. “The twos have been continually challenging and been in six grand finals in the past six years.
“It’s the first time in a long time for the ones to be in the grand final as well.”
The Royals semi final went down to the wire against Bellbridge on the weekend.
The Bears won the toss and decided to bat first.
They were bowled out for 173 in the 61st over.
Ivory said it wasn’t their best performance in the field.
“We were pretty confident in our ability,” he said. “We didn’t bowl overly well, but to keep them to 170 on a good wicket was very pleasing.”
Keshara Lakshan took 5-40 off nearly 22 overs for the Royals.
The Royals then had a tricky period late on day one with the bat.
They managed to get through unscathed and finished the first day at 0-30, making the task a slight bit easier.
The focus on day two was making sure they got the runs, no matter how long it took.
Both opening bats went early on day two and they slipped to 4-72.
Praveen De Silva and Keshara Lakshan put on a good partnership to get their side back on track.
Three quick wickets saw the Royals go from 4-131 to 7-131 and turned the game back around.
The Royals had enough batting in the shed, making the runs with about seven overs remaining.
They finished 7-176.
“Bellbridge bowled really well,” Ivory said. “We thought outside of us, they were the team to beat.
“We were rapt to get the win.”
Lakshan top scored with 42 not out.
The Royals will face East Coburg in the grand final, after it snuck home against Sunshine YCW in the other semi final.
Ivory said he was expecting a good challenge.
“We have a healthy rivalry with them,” he said. “In a grand final, you are never sure.
“We’ve earned our spot in the grand final and we will give it a red hot crack.”
Meanwhile in the Russell Pollock Shield, Burnside Springs United failed to fire against Pascoe Vale Central in its semi final.
Burnside won the toss and decided to bat in the warm conditions.
It never really got going as it was bowled out for 112 in the 43rd over.
Shohan Rangika top scored with 40 as just four players reached double figures.
Pascoe Vale Central knocked half of those runs off before stumps on day one, finishing the day at 1-60.
Pascoe Vale Central lost a couple of quick wickets when victory was in sight to give Burnside some hope but it was short lived.
It was a big win in the end for Pascoe Vale Central, which finished 3-113 in 64 overs.
Joshua Kelly took two wickets for Burnside.
