MELTON Centrals are into a grand final after a derby rain-out against Melton South on both semi-final days of Williamstown District Cricket Association A2 Turf.
The game at neutral venue Wyndhamvale Reserve was abandoned at 11.30am on Sunday without a ball bowled.
It means second-placed Centrals advance at South’s expense to play the grand final against Footscray ANA.
ANA’s semi-final against Hoppers Club had all of three balls bowled on Sunday before being abandoned.
There will be a Melton derby grand final in B2 Turf, after Melton South advanced with a draw against Williamstown Congs and Melton Centrals beat Hoppers Club by five wickets.
Centrals’ Andrew Zenonos took 6-20 off 11 overs to reduce Hoppers Club to 83.
Daniel Martin-Walker then top-scored in the chase with 31 as Centrals made 5-87 off 30 overs.
While cricket may have been sparingly played at the weekend, Melton Centrals still enjoyed four of its five semi-final qualifiers advancing to grand finals.
Centrals advanced on ladder position against Caroline Springs in A-matting after its semi-final at Blackwood Reserve had no play. It will play Western All Stars in the decider.
In B-matting, Centrals got a full game at John McLeod Oval in Deer Park and defeated Deer Park Ardeer by 16 runs.
Harley Cameron scored 57 and Paul Gatty 33 as Melton Centrals made 6-189 batting first.
Deer Park Ardeer was bowled out for 173 off 41 overs in reply, with Centrals’ Scott MacFarlane claiming 5-44. Centrals will play Tarneit in the final.
In C-matting, Centrals were desperately unlucky as Tarneit held on to advance on ladder position.
Centrals made 8-226 declared off 46 overs before reducing Tarneit to 7-121 in reply.
In spite of Centrals’ dominant position, the incomplete game means Tarneit advances.
Even if Centrals win the A2 Turf decider, promotion to the association’s top division, A1 Turf, will not take place due to the club’s lack of a home turf wicket.
