Seabrook skipper Leigh Edwards reckons his team’s Victorian Turf Cricket Association west A1 grand final against Grand United is turning into a classic.
The two best sides after the home-and-away rounds are locking horns to determine the premiership winner and neither has given too much ground after the first weekend of a four-day battle at Crofts Reserve in Altona North.
“Every single ball so far has been fought the way a grand final should be,” Edwards said.
“It’s been a good, tough contest all the way and it’s going to go down to the wire.”
Energy-sapping heat, forceful winds and a constant battle between bat and ball made it a tiring weekend for the players.
Edwards said he was physically and mentally drained at stumps on day two, but he was happy that Seabrook got what it wanted out of the first weekend, a first-innings lead, albeit a tiny 24 runs.
“It gives us security going into the second week,” he said.
“Any bad weather or anything like that, we’ve got the first-innings lead, which helps.”
A defence-minded Seabrook posted 175 off 91.1 overs.
Walgama Eranga was the only Saints batsman to get away, making 55.
Eranga played a faultless innings until he threw his wicket away with a rash shot.
“He got us through tea and would’ve batted 45 or 50 overs for those runs,” Edwards said.
“He played a false shot and got out, but didn’t look like getting out before that.
“He’s a class above, a first class player from Sri Lanka and we’re very lucky to have him.”
Andrew Hodgart (25) and Luke Rappazzo (20) added steel through the middle order.
Hodgart is regularly one to stick around and make like a pain for opposition teams, but Rappazzo also showed patience to bat a long time and drew praise from his captain.
“He batted probably 30-odd overs and did a fantastic job,” Edwards said.
“He was the last man out with a silly run out, a mix up, but he really dug in when times were tough.”
Seabrook’s bowlers were able to keep the free wheeling Grand United at bay before their total was breached.
United was bowled out for 151 in 47.5 overs – 24 short of the target.
While the Saints poked and prodded for their runs, United was more aggressive in a contrast of two styles.
“They just played their natural game, which is aggression, whereas our natural game is defend and work through our innings,” Edwards said.
“We went head-on and at the end of the weekend, we’ve got a lead after the first innings, which is fantastic, but it’s been a great contest all the way through.
“Both teams have proved this is why we’re in the grand final because everyone is up for the fight.”
Vishva Weerakoon did the damage with the ball for Seabrook, taking five wickets.
His new ball partner in crime, Hitesh Bavarva, claimed three scalps.
“They both bowled out of their skin today on a wicket that was really low and slow,” Edwards said.
“There wasn’t much in it for the quicks, but they bent their backs and did a fantastic job.”
Seabrook is 3-40 in its second dig – an overall lead of 64.
