By Tara Murray
Sunbury United produced its bowling performance of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season to stun Woodend, while earning a grand final spot.
The Bees were the underdogs heading into the final series but that meant little on Sunday as they pulled off an upset win against the minor premiers.
Captain Damien Edwards said it was a pretty insane result.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “I have not been involved in as good a win as that before.
“We always knew we had good players. We’ve got players littered throughout the team that have been there and done it before.
“We wanted to get into finals and hopefully our best was good enough and it was today [Sunday] it was.”
The Bees won the toss and decided to bat on Saturday.
It wasn’t the performance they were after as they were bowled out for 165 in the 65th over.
Liam Sherlock top scored with 44 as just three players passed 20.
Veteran Warren Else took 7-38 off nearly 23 overs to be the pick of the bowlers.
“We took in some extra batting and it didn’t go to plan,” Edwards said.
On Sunday, Woodend was in control at 2-52 and even at 4-92 it was still the team in front in the game.
But the Bees bowlers stayed focused on the task ahead.
Edwards said the key was not letting Woodend get away from them.
“We kept it tight all day,” he said. “It meant when we got a couple of quick wickets, they started to feel the pressure.
“We were able to build a bit of belief that we could do it.”
Some quick wickets turned the game in the favour of the Bees.
Woodend’s tail fought hard to try and get close to the score. Edwards said he was nervous, but knew that a lot had to go right for it to come off for Woodend at that stage.
Woodend was bowled out for 124, with Harrison Sheahan top scored with 36 for Woodend.
James Hughes took 4-42 for the Bees.
Edwards said Hughes just gets it done.
“He has still got it,” he said. “He’s crafty and has been there and done it all before.
“He got us where we needed to be. You can not buy that experience.”
Sunbury United last played in the grand final in the 2022-23 season when it fell short against Romsey.
The Bees will face Gisborne in the grand final after it had a big win against Romsey in the other semi final.
Edwards said it would be another big challenge.
“They can pile on the runs,” he said. “If we can bowl like we did today [Sunday] it will make a difference and we can challenge how it’s been going for them,”
Meanwhile, Wallan claimed the Johnstone Shield premiership as it beat Eastern Hill.
Eastern Hill made 9-150 with Wallan getting the runs in 49 overs, finishing 3-151.
