Rain ruins finals dreams

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Tara Murray

The final round of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association was full of drama, with rain and wet grounds adding to the finals and relegation battles.

Despite heavy rain in the lead up to the ground, all teams had to report to grounds and decisions were then made on whether games went ahead.

In the senior division, the fourth and last finals spot was decided by the weather.

Yarraville Club, which was facing Westmeadows, and Keilor, which faced the task of playing ladder leaders Aberfeldie, both remained in contention.

But it would be an anti-climax, with both games not going ahead and declared draws. It would be enough for the Clubbers to finish fourth.

They will now face Aberfeldie in the first week of the finals, while the Druids will play Haig Fawkner.

There were a couple of games to go ahead in that division, with St Albans moving up to fifth with victory against Doutta Stars and Haig Fawkner being too strong for Sunshine United.

In division 1, all matches were called off.

The top four had already been sorted with Deer Park claiming the minor premiership. Deer Park will face Seddon in one of the semi final and St Francis de Sales will host Altona North in the other.

Two games went ahead in division 2. Keilor Park was able to defend 70, bowling Glenroy out for 65.

Newport-Digman beat West Newport to move into the top two. Newport-Digman will face Williamstown CYMS in a knockout semi final.

Sydenham-Hillside claimed the minor premiership and will play Greenvale in the other semi final.

In division 3, Williamstown Imperials secured a finals spot with victory against East Keilor.

With Sunbury and Sunshine Heights both hoping to jump into the top four, the Imperials made 176 before bowling East Keilor out for 121.

Despite missing out on the top four, Sunshine Heights finished the season with a win against Point Cook.

Sunshine Heights made 8-119 before bowling Point Cook out for 86.

In the other match to go ahead, Grand United skittled Laverton for just 31. The Gorillas finished 1-35 to seal the win.

The win sealed top spot for the Gorillas, who will face the Imperials in the first week of finals.

Footscray United will host East Keilor in the other final.

In division 4, Williamstown Colts beat Maribyrnong Park St Marys and Bellbridge was too good for Seabrook.

The win moved the Colts up to second and they will now face Caroline Springs in the semi finals.

Gellibrand, which finished on top, will play St Andrews.

Williamstown Congs upset ladder leaders Melton South Royals and sealed a finals spot in the process in division 5.

The Congs made 7-177 before bowling the Royals out for 120. The two sides will face off again in the first week of finals.

Sunshine YCW, which had been hoping for a Congs loss to play finals, finished the season with a win against Moonee Ponds.

After making 9-140, Sunshine YCW bowled Moonee Ponds out for 95.

In the other match Sanctuary Lakes beat Wyndhamvale.

Roxburgh Park, which received three points for the draw, moved to the top of the ladder and will play Footscray Angliss in the semi finals.