It’s been another year of heartache for Epping, as they again missed finals after a late‐season slump cost them dearly in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Barclay Shield.
Epping had been in the top four all season until the last round, when they needed victory and other results to go their way to secure a finals berth.
But the dream ended for Epping when they fell to Plenty, one of three teams relegated.
Plenty set Epping a target of 224 for victory and after their batting yips of recent weeks it was always going to be a tough ask.
But after losing opener Nilakshan Abeyratne for a duck, Epping settled and with the other top‐order batsmen getting starts, they appeared to be cruising.
The problem for Epping was that although John Kulikowski top‐scored with 50 and Thomas Emmins made 48, there was little support from the middle order.
The bottom order made a handy contribution but Epping was bowled out for 209.
The loss saw them finish sixth on the ladder, one win and percentage behind fourth place.
While Epping’s season is over, Old Paradians/St Francis will be involved in finals action after beating Rosanna.
After making 198 on day one of the match, the Wolves had a fight on their hands as Rosanna reached 1‐87 in reply.
But then the Wolves bowlers got their side back in the game, taking seven wickets for 37 to reduce Rosanna to 8‐124.
Steven Nikolovski threatened to ruin the Wolves’ party with 46, but he was the last wicket to fall with the Wolves still 17 short of victory in a total of 183.
Supun Passikku Hannadige took four wickets, while Christopher Muir cleaned up the last four.
The Wolves victory secured third place on the ladder and now they face Macleod for a spot in the grand final.
Losses sealed the fate of bottom two sides, Bundoora United and Mernda, who were relegated with Plenty.
