It was a hot day – more than 39 degrees – and the skipper knew Kenna was of vital importance in the last round of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association division one season as the side's lone spinner. 

Williams, also the Creekers wicketkeeper, has had his fair share of dislocated fingers and didn't shirk when he saw the off-spinner's finger "poking out at a 45-degree angle". 

"I've done it a few times on myself," he said.

"And before he asked me I just yanked it back in.

"We were very lucky he didn't do any serious damage to it, otherwise we would have been stuffed for bowlers.

"Obviously I'm not a professional, but you can reset it and then after the shock wears off a bit of the pain sets in."

Kenna went on to bowl 25 overs and took 4-68 to be the pick of the Russells Creek attack as Merrivale managed to bat out their 80 overs and post a total of 275 runs. 

"He did really well," Williams said.

"It's always good fun between us – we have a good time."

Russells Creek will finish on top of the division one table if they beat Merrivale.

But should the Creekers lose, they will most likely finish second behind Brierly-Christ Church, who are in a commanding position against East Warrnambool. 

The Bulls made 296 runs before declaring and sending Broncos in to pick up two early wickets.

Despite being just 11-years-old, Merrivale's Toby Madden has already experienced the highs and lows of cricket. 

His under 11s side finished top of the table before losing the grand final by 12 runs to Nestles.

But the youngster was soon one of five Tigers, along with Lila Wilkinson, Jesse Mahony-Gilchrist, Rory Gavin and Joe Douglas to enjoy winning two Warrnambool and District Cricket Association flags in the space of a week.

Madden took a wicket for Merrivale in the under 15 side's 17-run victory over Wesley CBC in what was his very first taste of premiership glory.

And he went on to take another wicket for the under 13s as they marched to a six-wicket win over Brierly-Christ Church.

But unfortunately, due to a production error, Madden was cropped out of The Standard's picture of the winning Merrivale under 15 side, so we have decided to re-publish the image.

FIRST-year Yambuk skipper Tyson Umbers says he's feeling comfortable in the role ahead of the Buks' first Grassmere Cricket Association semi-final in five years.

The opening bowler will lead the Buks into battle against powerhouse Killarney on Saturday and Sunday, eager to cap his first season in charge with a grand final berth.

Umbers, 23, said he was relishing the role, thanks to the support of his more experienced teammates.

"It's a good challenge," he said.

"I am new to it and am relying upon older fellas like Christo Rook and Brian Wilson.

"They've been good for me, really encouraging and are good for ideas.

"I have a lot more confidence than I did at the start. 

I was a bit overwhelmed with it all but it's nice to pick things up that help you."

Umbers, who has played for Yambuk since he was 17, believes the Buks' batting strength will test the Crabs.

He said openers Christo Rook and Xavier McCartney were proving a handy combination and Jethro Serle was another capable of scoring runs.

Corey McKenzie has returned from a finger injury and is likely to play at four again, giving them added  power.

"Christo and Xavier are opening well together and have a good relationship and a good partnership," Umbers said.

Yambuk finished third on the ladder to book a semi-final berth against second-placed Killarney.

Umbers said the Crabs, led by match-winning captain Brayden Buchanan, were a powerful opponent.

"They've been a powerhouse of the competition the last three or four years," he said.

"We've got to be on the top of our game to be competitive and push for the win."

Grassmere and Killarney will have home-ground advantage in the Grassmere Cricket Association A grade semi-finals. 

The Meerkats, who finished on top, will host reigning premier Hawkesdale at Purnim. 

The second-placed Crabs will welcome Yambuk to Killarney.

Yambuk will host Killarney and Wangoom will have home-ground advantage against Panmure in B grade.

Mailors Flat will play Wangoom Red at Winslow and Purnim will host Panmure in Sunday's C grade competition.

Jack Sunderland (West Warrnambool) 8-29; Zavier Mungean (Brierly-Christ Church) 94; Mark Murphy (Brierly Christ-Church) 84 not out; Jeremy Burgess (Merrivale) 77; Terry Beks (Dennington) 4-42; Matt Wines (Woodford) 69; Nick Butters (Woodford) 68 runs; Ross Levett (Woodford) 64; Joe Kenna (Russells Creek) 4-68; Geoff Williams (Nestles) 4-72.

Craig Spikin (Grassmere) 124; Grant Cameron (Purnim) 95; Oscar Sanderson (Killarney) 4-58; Liam Balcombe (Yambuk) 3-18; Justin Coates (Grassmere) 76; Jethro Searle (Yambuk) 67 not out; Chris Woodbridge (Mailors Flat) 3-35; Ben Howarth (Purnim) 43 not out; David West (Hawkesdale) 3-25; Matt Boyle (Mailors Flat) 37; Murray Habel (Hawkesdale) 35.

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