Tara Murray
Premiership dreams will have to wait another season for Grand United after falling short in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 grand final series on Saturday.
After claiming game one last Saturday against Footscray United, the Gorillas dropped game two and game three to lose the best-of-three grand final series, 2-1.
On Saturday in game three, Footscray United got the job done with the bat early on.
Footscray United made 9-190 from its overs, with Lahiru Kumara finishing 54 not out.
Matthew Hayes and Rhys Mutch three wickets each for the Gorillas.
It was slow going early for the Gorillas, but they still had plenty of wickets in hand at 1-102.
The wickets would start to fall with the Gorillas bowled out for 169.
The Gorillas lost their last six wickets for just 19.
Shane Jones top scored with 37 at the top of the order. Kumara was the pick of the bowlers with 4-38 for Footscray United.
The division 3 grand final series was one of three to be decided on Saturday.
Haig Fawkner came from a game down to beat Aberfeldie in the senior division, while Roxburgh Park claimed the division 5 title.
In the senior division, it was a repeat of the T20 grand final, but the result would go a different way with Haig Fawkner winning.
In game three, Aberfeldie batted first after winning the toss.
Abers made 5-169 from their 40 overs with Shaifi Moazzem top scoring with 45 not out.
It was all single wicket takers for Haig Fawkner, with Charith Mendis the most economical.
Haig Fawkner lost an early wicket, but a strong second wicket partnership would put them back in the game.
The 100-run partnership between Jaspreet Bhatti and Dilan Soysa took the score to 1-124. While Haig Fawkner would lose a few more wickets in the run chase, the runs were made with ease.
Haig Fawkner hit the winning runs with five and half overs remaining, finishing 5-172.
Bhatti top scored with 67.
Moazzem took two wickets for Abers, as they threw the ball around looking for a wicket. Nine players had a bowl in the innings.
