Young Bloods make it all the way

Skipper Archer Chellew led from the front with a superb 69 off 65 balls, striking nine fours and a six and keeping the scoreboard moving right through the innings.

While the boundaries were great to watch, it was the running between the wickets that really set the scene.

The boys were sharp, turned ones into twos, put Cobram under constant pressure in the field, and made sure the scoreboard never stalled — easily one of the team's best running performances of the season.

There was good support through the middle order, with Daniel Burn (30 off 48) and Lucas Baron (22 off 48) building a match-winning platform, while Harrison Wilson (13 off 13) added some late momentum.

Tocumwal also picked up valuable extras (20), which all adds up in finals cricket.

Defending 176, the Bloods produced one of their most complete bowling and fielding performances of the season, dismissing Cobram for 65 in 34.5 overs.

The tone was set early, with Lucas Baron taking one for 12 off six overs, and Archer Chellew backing it up with two for 12 off 3.5 overs.

The pressure never let up through the middle overs, with Chase Dickins delivering a terrific spell of two for nine off six overs, and support coming from every change bowler.

James White finished with one for five off three overs, Oliver East took one for four off four overs, Harrison Wilson was ultra-economical with one for one-off four overs, and Daniel Burn picked up one for five off three overs.

A special mention as well to James Winn, who was outstanding in his spell, conceding just one run off three overs, and Indianna Borg, who bowled with great control and helped keep the pressure on — it was a genuine team effort where every bowler came on and did their job.

In the field, Tocumwal were sharp and switched on.

Lucas Grieves had a huge impact behind the stumps, taking four catches as wicketkeeper, and there were multiple catches taken cleanly in the ring as the pressure kept building.

Now it’s on to the big one — a grand final clash with Barooga next weekend.

Barooga are a quality side, and we’ll need to bring our best to win the decider, but the kids are excited, confident, and up for the challenge after a strong semi-final performance.

C-grade

Tocumwal travelled to Strathmerton for the semi final.

After winning the toss, Tocumwal sent Strathy in to bat on a pitch that looked like it had it plenty to offer.

Lachie McDonald got the team off to the perfect start with a wicket on the third ball with a great catch in close from Shaun Goldman.

Strathy bounced back well with a 48 run partnership before Bryce Meloury came in taking two quick wickets.

Amal Aji snagged two wickets before drinks, which had Strathy 5/76.

After drinks, they continued to work hard and took wickets, but Strathy took advantage of our bad balls and ended their innings 9/150.

Bowling highlights included Bryce Meloury’s 2/15, Amal Aji 2/16, Adam Hughes 2/24, Lachie McDonald 1/7, Sam Bennett 1/12 and Declan Cameron 1/28.

With a total to chase, Tocumwal knew they would have to work hard to get on top early.

Unfortunately, Lachie McDonald fell in the second over for four before Bryce and Brandon Meloury got to work.

Bryce played a fantastic innings before retiring for a great 50.

This led to a middle order collapse, losing five wickets for not many.

The Tocumwal tail wagged with some hard running and kept the game interesting, but the team just couldn’t get over the line, falling 13 runs short.

Batting highlights included Bryce Meloury 67 not out, Brandon Meloury 19, Sam Bennett 14 and Adam Hughes 12.

The team’s season comes to an end, but they fought all the way through and hold their heads up high on what was a season full of positives.