Bruck bowler Mark Higgs in determined form against Yarrawonga, helping his side win by five wickets.Picture: TARA GOONAN
BEECHWORTH is in celebration mode after moving into its first WDCA grand final.
The Wanderers will face Bruck in next week’s decider at the Norm Minns Oval following yesterday’s 51-run win against Rutherglen United at Baarmutha Park.
Bruck upset Yarrawonga-Mulwala at Hargreaves Oval in the other semi-final thanks to a brilliant 91 from veteran Darren Petersen.
Beechworth skipper Brenton Surrey said the Geoff Welch Cup was there for the taking.
“We haven’t played them or Yarra this year,” he said.
“Both captains will have to be thinking on their feet as the game goes on.
“Bruck are a quality side and have been up there for a long time.”
Beechworth missed the finals last season but finished second this campaign and heads into the grand final on a four-match winning streak.
Medium-pacer Matt Hunt was the star with the ball yesterday, taking four wickets from his 13 overs, while Richie Worcester chipped in with two crucial scalps.
The Redlegs suffered a blow before play when captain and all-rounder Jon Shaw withdrew from the batting line-up.
Rutherglen eventually finished on 126, chasing 177.
Surrey was the star for the home side on day one, smashing 47, while Brendon Thompson (28) and Jarod Thomson (21) played cameo roles with the bat.
Nathan Thomas with 4-58 was the pick of the Rutherglen bowlers, while Shaw took 3-66 from 20 overs.
“Today we just toiled away and hung in there,” Surrey said.
“The wicket was slow and hard to score and get wickets on.
“We just hoped the batsmen would make a mistake.
“We got a score yesterday and rolled them.
“We would have liked to make 20 more but it gave us something to bowl at.
“It was probably a good thing for our bowlers, knowing they had to be on the mark.”
At Hargreaves Oval, Bruck won by five wickets.
Petersen, who came in at six, put on a partnership of 160 for the fifth wicket with Jon Hyde (69 not out) after Bruck was struggling at 4-34 after 26 overs.
Lakers captain-coach Lee Fraser had 69 before being run out, while Marcus Hargreaves made 60 in the side’s 9-209.