Match report - Semi final vs Richmond Union

Ashy Willows won the toss and elected to bat at Burnley Oval. The grass was uncut and which made it difficult to score runs. Jake Falkenberg made light work of the conditions to score his 8th half century of the season. In years to come, the historians will note that no boundaries came off any other batsmen in the team.

Mobeen showed determination to ensure we batted our 36 overs with a hard fought 24. Will Preston showed he was a good running partner. A score of 114 is poor on most grounds but worth double in this semi final.

Defending a modest target against a team that had monstered everyone before them, Nick Macdougall took a difficult running catch off Jake's bowling. Nick followed this up by sending the stumps flying. Two down.

Richmond saw off our opening bowlers. They probably thought it would get easier. Ashy brought on their junior premiership winning bowlers in Will Preston and Aiden Richards. Will got an lbw decision and Aiden took 2 in 2 balls the following over. Aiden dismissed Richmond's captain. Will took another courtesy of a difficult low catch by Mobeen at first slip. Will and Aiden took one more each to leave Richmond reeling at 9/33.

With nothing to lose Richmond's 10 and 11 took some lusty swings and it paid off. Ashy couldn't quite take the chances that went their way. With 7 runs to get in the last over, Aiden was given a monumental responsibility. Showing why he has 16 wickets at 6.69, Aiden had the last batsman caught by Josh Borg at square leg.

It was a proud performance by the Ashy Willows 3rds, who survived another nail biter to seal a grand final against St Andrews Gardiner.

Captain Dan Nguyen's soccer preseason is postponed another week. Will he have a good excuse to tell his soccer coach? We'll find out next week at Warner Reserve. Go Willows!

Notable performances:
Jake Falkenberg 53 (51) and 1/29 off 7
Mobeen Malik 25 (52) and 0/20 off 4
Aiden Richards 5/15 off 6.1
Will Preston 3/7 off 7