Finley Ward from Clifton Hill has just dismissed Nick Sparks and its game on! Photo © Chris Mirabella 2025
Trinity Willison pair hold their nerve against Clifton Hill attack
Trinity Willison 3/182 def Clifton Hill 179
For forty pulsating minutes of intense semi-finals cricket, Clifton Hill held the ascendency against their hosts Trinity Willison and looked every bit a team that could defend the un-defendable 179 at Frog Hollow in their Macgibbon Shield clash. After posting a way below par score at Frog Hollow on day 1 (179 - with 72 coming from Benjamin Caplikas and TWCC Dem Panopoulos taking 5/60), CH only had one way to win which was to blast out TWCC. At 1/62 TWCC were cruising with skipper Nick Sparks (43) set, when Ben Levens and Finley Ward struck dismissing Nick Sparks and Matthew Veitch for duck in quick succession. CH went to the drink break filled with confidence and with plenty of support from supporters. And there was a definite nervous buzz in the local crowd. But a magnificent counter attack from Marcus Deayton (68* from 64) and Charlie Clarke (43* from 50) saw the pair post an unbroken 108 run partnership to book their place in the Grand Final. They will take on Burwood Uniting Canterbury who had a comprehensive win against the defending champs Deepdene Uniting on day 1.
PlayHQ Scoreboard
PlayHQ Scoreboard
Marcus Deayton (left) and Charlie Clarke from Trinity Willison Cricket Club were under siege by Clifton Hill early on day 2 of the Macgibbon Shield Semi Final. Photo © Chris Mirabella 2025
Defending champs have no answers for Burwood Uniting Canterbury
Burwood Uniting Canterbury 2/122 def Deepdene Uniting 120
Day 1 of the Macgibbon Semi Final was all that was needed for Burwood Uniting Canterbury to knock out last year's premiers.
Deepdene Uniting elected to bat first and were immediately under siege as Josh Morris (4/53) dismissed the first 4 batters. Late power hitting from Akash Soeny (25) got the visitors to triple figures, but BUCCC remarkably only needed the 3 bowlers for the innings with Malinga De Silva (3/31) and Lewis Lockwood (3/34) finishing the innings nicely with the hosts needing 121 runs to win.
Deepdene were going to need early wickets to have a chance, but BUCCC openers Ben Lammardo (45) and Josh Hillyer (40) kept finding the boundaries and made light work of the chase, both were dismissed by Luka McGuinness-Smith (2/41) but Andrew Lammardo (24*) carried on and ensured the result was decided before the end of the day.
PlayHQ Scoreboard