The monkey is finally off the back at the St Albans Cricket Club.
With the first XI side having lost five semi finals in the past eight years, the Saints are into a Victorian Turf Cricket Association grand final after a comprehensive smashing of Merlynston Hadfield.
After losing the toss, the Saints got first use of the new ball and the bowlers were more than up for the challenge.
Merlynston Hadfield crawled to 1-10 off 12 overs before the wickets started to tumble.
Geeth Alwis and Tom Langley-Dunn combined for eight wickets to see the batting side bowled out for just 63.
The Saints had no trouble chasing down the small target, securing the nine wicket win with a full day’s play still left in the match.
CLICK HERE FOR A PICTURE GALLERY OF THIS MATCH
St Albans president Ian McKenzie was rapt to progress to a grand final.
“The monkey on our backs was turning into a gorilla. We couldn’t walk at one stage,” he joked.
GEETH ALWIS. PICTURE: DAMIAN VISENTINI
“It is sensational. We couldn’t have asked for a better wicket. There were no excuses out there. They won the toss and batted.
“Everyone who looks at the scores will probably think it was a soft deck. It wasn’t.
“Our boys just bowled really well.”
Opening batsman Pawandeep Singh was another standout for St Albans as he ensured there would be no nervous moments in pursuit of the small target.
Singh top scored for the innings with 46.
The knock continues his top form with his last three first XI innings combining for 207 runs.
St Albans will take on Brimbank based rival Taylors Lakes in the north A1 grand final this week.
Having worked so hard to reach the biggest game of the year, McKenzie said his message to the players would be to make sure they enjoy it.
“We will train hard this week, not having played the Sunday,” he said.
“In grand finals, anything can happen. We are really looking forward to getting out there and getting into it.”
