Bamawm Lockington United has punched its ticket to the John McMahon Shield A-grade grand final with a four-wicket win over Rochester on the weekend.
A strong performance with the ball had BLU in good stead in the rain-affected clash, and it was able to chase down Rochester’s total of 84 in relative comfort with four wickets to spare.
The win caps off a remarkable turnaround for BLU as it reaches the grand final the season after finishing second-from-bottom.
It is BLU’s first finals appearance since the 2015-16 season, and it now has the chance to claim the John McMahon Shield next week when it takes on Echuca at Victoria Park, following that side’s win over Moama.
For Rochester, it is its second semi-final loss in as many seasons after losing to Kyabram Fire Brigade in 2020-21.
Rochester entered the match as favourites having lost just two games all season, while BLU’s finals status was only confirmed on the last day of the season.
Rochester won the toss and elected to bat and found itself behind the eight-ball almost immediately when Daniel Major was dismissed for a duck.
Fellow opener Cory Jacobs didn’t fare much better after he was out for just four.
Rochester skipper Sean Williams was able to steady the ship for his side, helping them to 2-43, but things soon unravelled from there.
Williams was dismissed and Rochester lost its last eight wickets for just 41 runs, posting a total of just 84.
Williams was his side’s top scorer with 32 from 75 deliveries, while Joe Hamilton (11) was the only other Rochy batter to reach double figures.
Sandun Ranathunga was devastating with the ball for BLU, taking 4-12 with five maidens from his 11 overs — including the crucial wicket of Williams.
Cody Thompson and Jeremy Felmingham claimed two wickets each, while Simon Van Duinen and Amila Gunathilaka both picked up one wicket.
Chasing a reachable total, BLU made a solid start in reply and was looking good at 1-42 at stumps on Saturday.
When play resumed on Sunday morning however, two quick wickets looked like they could swing things back in Rochester’s favour.
Luke Thompson and James McPhee were both dismissed without scoring in quick succession, and suddenly BLU was looking shaky at 3-42.
But Rochester’s quick-fire start proved to be just a flash in the pan, and despite losing three more wickets, BLU comfortably reached 6-85 from 53 overs to claim victory and advance to the grand final.
Echuca and BLU will do battle in the grand final at Victoria Park next weekend, with play starting at 12.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.