Willow Grove v Moe 
Willow Grove won the toss on the hard deck with a lightning outfield especially down the hill and understandably elected to bat first. Skipper Johnstone changed the bowling order in the final game with Edwards opening with Ritvik.
Willow Grove Innings
Ritvik (1/11 off 4) had the end with the poor run up and claimed the first scalp. Farmer & Blunt attempted that end for an over each with less than desirable results, so Atkinson & Whitney bowled spin from that end.
Darcy & Josh Coombs added 50 for the second wicket before Farmer (1/21 off 9) claimed a scalp bowling from the scoreboard end, Darcy lbw for 49. Coombs (58) survived a few airborne chances on his way to a half century, before one was taken by Blunt off the bowling of Atkinson.
Failla made a century last week on the same ground and got another start, before falling to Whitney for 22. Value was on offer for even unintentional edges & skewed shots, as in both innings some shots that were dots or ones at most on almost any other ground, turned into boundaries rushing down the hill.
Cumiskey also made a half century with 57 off 46, to push the Wolves beyond 200. Blunt had Van Der Stoep (5) caught behind and should’ve had Francis (19*) also caught behind for 8, but it was put down. Jacob Grima 9* with Francis saw Willow Grove close at 6/233 from 50 overs.
In a tough day for bowlers, Whitney took 2/55 (7), Ritvik 1/11 (4), Farmer was economical with 1/21 (9), Blunt 1/44 (9) & Atkinson 1/48 (9). Edwards had 0/44 (7).
Moe Innings
Finn (10) was run out for the Lions’ first dismissal. Jesse Pheeney (16 off 16, 3 fours) started to look good before falling to the first ball he faced from D.Van Der Stoep, trying to go big, cough behind. 2/36.
Whilst Whitney’s strike rate was low, Ash Savige (30) scored the majority of the 43 run third wicket pairing.
Michael Johnstone joined Whitney in the 20th over and the pair built into the partnership before kicking on, adding 102 in 15 overs, Moe now 3/181 off 35, requiring 53 to win off 60 balls.
Mark Whitney scored what I believe is his first half century in Moe colours, a long while (about a decade) after making the switch from Newborough.
After also reaching fifty of his own, Johnstone (54* off 49) opted to voluntarily retire – which is retired out, to make Moe effectively 4/181.
Josh Coombs switched around and bowled Atkinson (1) with his first ball from the scoreboard end. Whilst runs flowed at the nets end, Coombs took 3 wickets in 3 overs from his (Ritvik bowled for 8, A.Johnstone lbw for 8.). Moe 6/211 (effectively 7/211), requiring 23 off 28. A four from Blunt ended the over, 19 off 24.
Whitney took 4 off Cumiskey’s next over. 15 off 18. Coombs made it 4 wickets in 4 overs, and with just his third ball at Whitney in this spell bowled him to start the 43rd over, Whitney out for 65 off 120 – Coombs with a 5 wicket haul. Farmer & Blunt added 5 more, 10 off 12, then took 7 off Cumiskey’s over to get back in the box seat. Just 3 required off the last over, but a reminder, 7 down was effectively 8 down.
A single to Blunt (8*) on the second ball, 2 off 4. Then Farmer (8.) was bowled by Coombs. 2 off 3, one wicket in hand. Edwards survived almost being bowled leg stump before falling lbw 
the following delivery. Cue wild celebrations from the Wolves to finish their season on a high. Johnstone wanted to return from retirement to the crease to face the final ball, but was (correctly) denied the ability to do so, Moe all out for 232, going down by one run.
Coombs ended up with 6 wickets in the space of 5.5 overs at the scoreboard end to finish with 7/34 (8.5). Paired with 58 with the stick, it was a phenomenal day for the man of the match & club president to end their season.
Two absolute thrilling battles against Willow Grove this season (115 apiece at Ted Summerton). The first contest was washed out, potentially denying all involved a third thriller.
The top 3 all defeated the bottom 3 as expected, so Moe finish 4th. This result & the loss to Imperials combined to deny Moe what could’ve been top spot. The gap was reduced to 14pts (3.5 matches) between 4th & 5th (Willow Grove). Centrals finish top so are guaranteed immediate promotion back to Premier B following last year’s relegation. The only way Moe can also yo-yo straight back up with them is to win the flag, and they will have to go through Centrals in the semi final in order to do so.
Semi Finals – Next Week
– Centrals vs Moe at Apex Park, Traralgon – Raiders vs Imperials at Yinnar
