ST Albans suffered shock elimination from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north A1 finals after a heartbreaking 13-run loss to East Keilor in the semi-final at Kings Park Reserve on Saturday.
The Saints had occupied a top-two position for most of the summer and were expected to fight it out with favourites Laverton for the premiership.
This curve ball came out of the blue and at the worst possible time for the Saints as they made an inglorious exit from the competition.
The Saints took the honours on day one, rolling East Keilor for what appeared to be a gettable 156 in 69 overs.
Tom Langley-Dunn was being feted for his astonishing seven wicket haul.
Langley-Dunn finished with an outstanding 7-42 off 18 overs, including the scalps of six of the top-seven batsmen.
There are no guarantees in finals cricket.
Chasing a low total has claimed many a victim over the years – the Saints are the latest in a long line.
The Andrew Pizaro-skippered Saints were all out for a tentative 143 in 73 overs.
Matthew Montebello (42) and Simon Harman (35) were the only shining lights for the Saints in an otherwise terrible run chase.
The grand final will be fought out by Laverton, who thrashed Moonee Valley, and East Keilor.
VTCA
North A1: Semi Final: St Albans 143 (Montebello 42 Harman 35) lt East Keilor 156 (Langley-Dunn 7-42 Nikolic 2-44).
