Tara Murray
After a number of tough seasons, St Anthony’s has something to smile about with a Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield grand final spot locked in.
Having struggled for numbers on field and those to help out off field, the Saints dropped down from the top grade down the ranks.
Under first year coach Jason Orr, the Saints have started to turn the on field results around.
On Saturday, they produced a dominant all round performance against Melton South to win their semi final and progress to the final game of the season.
“It’s really good,” Orr said. “It’s been very hard to compete against the other clubs in Melton.
“We keep trying to get going and get some new players. We’re trying to tap into the area around Arnolds Creek.
“Hopefully we can keep going for years to come.”
On Saturday, the Saints couldn’t have asked for a much better performance against the Melton South Royals.
The Saints won the toss and managed to bowl the Royals out for just 89 in the 30th over.
The Saints shared the wickets around with Gurinder Singh Grewal and Zac Giblett, both taking three each.
Orr said they bowled and fielded well to restrict the Royals to that total.
At 4-42 in the run chase there were a few nervous moments for those on the side lines watching including Orr.
“We lost a few early wickets but our captain Zac Giblett soldered through and got us over the line.
“We bat deep but there were a few nervous moments. Having our captain being out there made things a bit better.”
Giblett finished 73 not out off 71 balls, with the next highest score just five.
Orr said Saturday had been a really good day with the club hosting a past players day and having another side in finals action on the other field.
The Saints now face Aintree in the grand final after Aintree beat Lancefield in the other semi final.
Orr knows they will have a tough match against them. Orr was part of the Saints last first XI premiership five years ago.
“They are a good club and a good team,” he said. “In a grand final anything can happen.
“We played Aintree once this year and they did win that.
“We know what we’re up against and it’s a small ground, hopefully it’ll suit our side.”
In the Jensen Shield, Aintree will face Wallan in a semi final this weekend for a spot in the grand final.
