Hoppers Crossing has finished the summer on a high note with a finals-shaping win against Bentleigh on the road in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s senior division.
The Cats brushed aside their batting inconsistencies to post a mammoth 4-323 and blast the victory target of 274 to pieces.
Asif Jan produced his best knock for the club with 121 not out at No. 5, while Ryan Latham made 88 to finish the season with back-to-back half centuries.
The pair combined for a magnificent 166-run fourth wicket partnership.
The chase was set up by a solid 47-run opening stand between player-coach Darrel Brown (34) and Justin Goegan (26).
The Cats’ last-day win cost Bentleigh a spot in the final four.
In north A1, Werribee Centrals were relegated after falling 18 runs short against finals-bound Sunshine Druids at Galvin Park. The Centurions only had to tie with Druids’ 6-216 to stay up but were bowled out for 198.
They tumbled to fourth-last when news filtered through of a big St Albans’ points grab over Aberfeldie.
