WERRIBEE Centrals blasted Sunshine YCW to smithereens in a one-sided Victorian Turf Cricket Association west B1 semi-final at Galvin Park.
The Centurions advanced to a four-day grand final date and will meet St Andrews at Laverton Park starting on Saturday.
Phil Crea’s undefeated minor premiers will head into the season decider as raging hot favourites. They are riding high on confidence after achieving the second of three goals on their check list.
The Centurions put it out there from the first day of pre-season they wanted to remain unbeaten throughout the regular season and achieved that feat on the final day of the season against Point Cook.
In their victory over YCW on Sunday, the Centurions got a chance to tick off their second goal — promotion back to the north A1.
“To get back to north A1 was our goal at the start of the season,” Centurions opening batsman Chris Duffin said. “It meant so much to the boys. And to do it in such a fashion.”
The Centurions were brutal in the manner they disposed of YCW, stamping their authority from the outset with a huge 6-347 declared.
Dean Giarrusso, promoted up the order to get the scoreboard ticking over early, worked a treat with the playing assistant coach making 97.
“He came agonisingly close to a hundred,” Duffin said. “He really set the tone for us.”
The mainstay of the innings was Blair Hemmingson, who brought up his maiden first XI century with a glorious 133 not out. The recruit from Western All Stars produced an innings that will be talked about for some time at Shaws Road.
“He batted right through the innings and showed why he is a crucial recruit for us,” Duffin said. “Some of his shots were phenomenal.”
The Centurions had no sweat defending the mammoth total.
YCW buckled under the weight of the run chase to be all out for 141.
Father and son combination, Phil and Sam Crea, were outstanding with the ball.
Phil took 4-31 off 10 overs with his spin, only to be outdone by speedster Sam’s 4-66 in the heat off 20 overs.
Second-ranked Point Cook bowed out of the finals with a semi-final loss to St Andrews.
