IT was a Test-length match, but there would be no victory for Melton Centrals as its marathon Williamstown District Cricket Association final ended in a 67-run defeat to Footscray ANA.
Centrals resumed day five of the A2 Turf decider at 4-99, still 111 in arrears of Footscray ANA’s combined first and second innings totals.
But the Footscray ANA bowling attack had the answers on Saturday, reducing Melton to 143 to claim the premiership.
Jacob Thornton-Gielen watched the tail collapse around him after resuming on 19 not out and reaching the end of the innings still unbeaten on 33.
His Centrals batting partners tried to offer resistance, but only Corey Patmore (10) could make double figures.
Footscray ANA made 244 and 117 to Centrals’ 151 and 143.
Centrals’ best bowler for the match was Jamie Bolger with 5-68, while Steven Robertson scored 56 in both innings to be combined top scorer.
In B2 Turf, Melton South overturned a first-innings deficit to hit back and win the grand final against Melton Centrals.
Michael Garwood’s unbeaten 153 in the fourth innings of the match led Melton South to victory as it made 8-263 off 99 overs.
South had been skittled for just 70 in its first dig in reply to Centrals’ 226, Daniel Martin-Walker making 114 and Shane Newton 51.
But Michael Truswell (4-11) led an economic bowling attack in the second innings to restrict Centrals to 106 and an overall lead of 262.
Garwood and Wayne Catlin (48) put on 123 for the fourth wicket before a 4-20 collapse left Melton South at 8-171.
But Domonic Shelley (22no) stopped the rot and supported Garwood in a 92-run stand to bring up the winning runs.
Andrew Zenonos took seven wickets for Centrals in the first innings and finished with match figures of 9-83.
In A grade matting, Melton Centrals couldn’t overturn a big first-innings deficit and lost the grand final to Western All Stars by 10 wickets.
Centrals made 204 batting first only for the All Stars to post 317 in reply.
Centrals’ second dig lasted just 30.2 overs, bowled out for 116 with Bradley McFarlane’s 36 the top score.
The All Stars needed just an over of the fourth innings to reach 0-7 and claim outright victory.
In B grade matting, Melton Centrals made 242 batting first but were blown away by Tarneit, which posted 368 in reply.
Centrals were bowled out for 154 in the second innings.
