By Tara Murray
It was a rollercoaster of emotions for Hoppers Crossing as it won through to the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west grand final.
There were plenty of ups and downs in the Cats semi final with Oakleigh, but they were able to find a way to get across the line and into their first Subbies first XI grand final.
It was a relieved Cats captain-coach Simon Lambert who went through it all on the weekend.
“Obviously it’s really pleasing but it was sort of a bit of a rollercoaster,” he said. “It’s nice to have a home grand final. We haven’t lost there since round one.
“Not many teams have come here and have had some success. We’re pretty confident that we can get the job done.”
The Cats made 9-292 from their 80 overs after being sent in.
Lambert said they didn’t look like making that for most of the game.
“We got off to a flier and was 0-70 and then slipped to 4-80 and I thought we were in a spot of brother,” he said.
“We kept getting partnerships and then losing a wicket. I thought we needed at least 250 as the pitch was good and it was going to get better.
“It didn’t look that great.”
The Cats’ tail though showed a lot of resistance and pushed the score past 250 and closer to 300.
Bhaumik Jani, who came in at number eight, made 42, number 10 Wajh e Ali Bangash made 33 not out and number 11 Abbas Faiyaz made 50 not out off 24 balls.
Lambert said every time they’ve needed the lower order to step up this season, they’ve been up to task.
“Our ninth and 10th wicket partnership put on 120 between them,” he said. “That was beyond our wildest dreams.
“Our numbers eight, nine and 10 are a lot better than that and could bat in the top six or seven.
“To get 70 off the last partnership from seven or eight overs, was incredible.”
Lambert top scored with 60 at the top of the order.
Day two was a mirror of the first day.
Oakleigh started well with the bat and was on top early on.
“It was a rollercoaster and it was a good pitch and it was better than day,” he said.
“It flattened out and there was nothing for the spinners. I thought here we go again.
“They were 0-70 and then 4-100.”
Lambert said the run rate was the biggest thing in their favour but Oakleigh kept pushinG.
There were some nerves for the Cats but despite some late hitting an from Oakleigh it wasn’t enough.
Oakleigh was bowled out for 253 in the third last over. Harshit Takkar finished with three wickets for the Cats.
Lambert said their lower order batting was what got them the win.
The Cats will face Caulfield in a two-day grand final this weekend at Hogans Reserve.
