By Tara Murray
Malmsbury did what was needed to ensure a finals spot in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield Sub-District Firsts.
A win in the final round against Rupertswood gave Malmsbury a top four finish.
President Garry Nicholls said it was pleasing to get the result and finals berth.
“We snuck in there, you could say,” he said.
“We had to win to make sure of it and the boys did well.
“We’ve made the finals the last few years, but we haven’t been able to go on with it.”
Having made 286 on day one, Malmsbury was confident of getting the job done on Saturday but knew it still had to perform to get the wickets needed.
It bowled Rupertswood out for 200.
“We were pretty confident that we were pretty safe, but cricket is a funny game and we still had to get there,” Nicholls said.
“We bowled well in a pretty even team effort.”
Daniel Turner and Leon Cox took three wickets each for Malmsbury.
Malmsbury will face Macedon in the first week of the finals, playing for a spot in the grand final.
Sunbury United will play St Anthonys in the other semi-final, with the winner through to the grand final.
Nicholls said the Malmsbury – Macedon match should be a good game.
“They are the benchmark and if we get past them, we’re into the grand final,” he said.
“They beat us last time, but there wasn’t much in it and the teams are pretty even.
“It’s been a pretty successful season already, so making it through to the grand final would top it off.”
Off field things are going well for Malmsbury with work on upgrading their facilities well under way.
A new fence has been put up, there’s been work on the changerooms and work is about to begin on new training nets.
In other results, Macedon, which claimed the minor premiership, enters the finals on the back of a good win to Blackwood.
Needing 228 for victory, the Cats made 6-254 to claim the win and seal top spot.
Patrick Doyle was the standout with his first century, making 139 not out, which included 23 fours and one six.
In other matches, Lancefield finished its season with a loss to Sunbury United.
Chasing 9-328, the Tigers were bowled out for 131.
Meanwhile, St Anthonys prepared for finals with a big win against Kyneton.
Having made 354, St Anthonys bowled Kyneton out for 166.
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