Tara Murray
Melton South Royals’ grand finals hopes were left shattered after a four run loss to East Coburg in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 5 semi finals on Sunday.
After just missing out on the grand final last season, the Royals were keen to go one step further this season.
Facing East Coburg in the first week of finals, the Royals were always going to be in for a good test.
East Coburg won the toss and decided to bat. It managed to get to 37 with no loss before losing two quick wickets.
At 2-71, East Coburg was still in control, but the wickets then started to fall. East Coburg struggled to get a partnership for the rest of the innings bowled out for 138 in the 62nd over.
Sameera Vithana took 6-43 off his 19.2 overs.
The Royals had been hoping to get through the end of day one unscathed, but found themselves in trouble at 5-46 at stumps.
The Royals started day two better with the bat, putting on 39 runs to start the day.
At 6-112 the Royals would have backed themselves in to get the job done, but the lower order struggled to get the runs.
The Royals were eventually bowled out for 135 in the 50th over.
Vithana was the pick of the batters with 43 as just four players scored double figures.
Satheesh Sivakumaran Fernandu took six wickets for East Coburg.
