Warrnambool Blue will play Hamilton in its preliminary final today.
WARRNAMBOOL Blue will play off for a Horsham Under 15 Country Week grand final spot despite losing its final pool match against Mount Gambier on the last ball yesterday.
The final delivery slipped through Warrnambool Blue wicketkeeper Joe McKinnon’s legs for four leg-byes, handing Mount Gambier a three-wicket win.
Warrnambool Blue will play Hamilton in its preliminary final today.
Mount Gambier has drawn South West in the other preliminary final.
Warrnambool Blue posted 5-169 at City Oval, Horsham’s premier ground.
Jarrod Petherick led the way with 46 runs and Charlie Locke chimed in with 32.
Mount Gambier replied with 7-172 and needed four runs off the final over.
Warrnambool Blue coach Kevin Bond said the side needed to move on quickly.
“It’s disappointing at this point in time,” he said after yesterday’s loss. “Give it a quarter of an hour and then we’ll resume recovery and fire it up tomorrow.”
Hamilton snared a 32-run win against Warrnambool Gold to book its preliminary final spot.
Angus Boyd (62) was the biggest contributor to Hamilton’s 4-153.
Day two century-maker Shannon Beks (39) did his best to help Warrnambool Gold in reply, but it wasn’t enough as it succumbed for 121.
South West comfortably defeated Portland, earning its preliminary final place.
All-rounders Henry Green and Tyler Fowler starred for South West. Each took two wickets, along with Callum McIlveen, as Portland was restricted to 132.
“Good fielding resulted in three run outs,” assistant team manager Ross McIlveen said.
Henry (70) and Tyler (81) then teamed up for a 151-run second-wicket stand.
Jordan Ritchie (28 not out) and Callum McIlveen (27 not out) put on 59 for an unbeaten final wicket stand as South West reached 7-281.
Horsham’s poor tournament was dealt another blow, losing to neighbour Wimmera-Mallee by four wickets. The host association was dismissed for 79, with Wimmera-Mallee making 137 in reply.
Wimmera-Mallee will play Portland and Horsham has drawn Warrnambool Gold in today’s other matches, which shape final standing.