REIGNING premier Woodford and underdog West Warrnambool are in the box seat to sew up grand final places after a dramatic day of semi-final action.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Panthers skipper Alastair Templeton produced a stellar 124-run knock to push West Warrnambool out to a score of 5-263 at stumps.
Templeton was aided by fellow opener Sam Younghusband’s 64-run haul and Ben Threlfall’s 38 runs in posting the target.
The second-year captain-coach was pleased with the score but was quick to urge his players to maintain focus.
“We know there aren’t too many 160-over games of cricket won in 80 overs,” Templeton said.
“(Russells Creek) a good side and they have been for two years or so. I’m sure they’ll have a crack.
“I’ve already told the boys we can’t sit back and expect to win. The job is only half done.”
Templeton lauded Younghusband – an 18-year-old who returned from Victorian Premier Cricket club Carlton last season – for his ability to handle pressure.
“I was rapt for Sam. He’s only a young bloke and the way he’s gone about his cricket in coming back from Melbourne and he’s probably had big expectations on him because of that,” he said.
“He’s absolutely flying. To stand up like he did against his old team and to bat so well in a game that probably had the most pressure of any he’s played in, I thought that was great.”
Woodford, meanwhile, posted 267 in the space of just 65 overs thanks to dominant outings from captain Nick Butters (83) and Kory Howlett (58).
Eels mentor John Houston said his men executed a carefully orchestrated plan.
“We were aiming for 270 or 280 so we’re pretty much where we need to be,” Houston said.
“A wicket overnight would have been handy. In a semi-final, things are tough because the opposition has to sleep on our score overnight.
“There will be a bit of moisture around tomorrow and hopefully we’ll be able to swing the ball around and apply a bit of pressure.”