2’s punch their ticket into a Grand Final in convincing fashion
It had been six long years since the Old Xaverians Cricket Club had played in a final and March 3rd, 2024 was finally the day to put an end to that mark. After a very poor start to the season, the 2’s went on to win five out of their last six games and finish 3rd on the ladder to play 2nd placed Footscray in a Semi Final at their home ground, Tony Dodemaide Oval on a belter of a wicket. Skipper Matt Perrett lost the toss and the Old Xav’s were sent into bowl.
Pat Nunan (3/18 off 6.2) and Ed MacIsaac (1/21 off 3) were given the new ball to face off against Footscray’s high scoring and aggressive openers. An attacking start from Footscray saw them scoring at a good run-rate early with MacIsaac and Callum Abrahams (1/26 off 2) taking the wicket of both openers, leaving Footscray 2/36 in the 8th over with the game evenly balanced. Finn Chiodo (1/22 off 3) bowled in tandem with Abrahams as Footscray ramped up their shot making and capitalised on our extras, loose balls, misfields and dropped catches. As the game slowly started to feel it was getting away from the Old Xav’s, Pat Frawley (0/22 off 8) and Eddie Paul (1/26 off 6) righted the ship with tight and economical bowling, and after 20 overs Footscray were 3/101. The second half of the innings presented a tale of cooler heads prevailing. The Old Xav’s excellently regrouped at the break, as Frawley and Paul continued on their way, and a rather random run out as well as a wicket off Matt Perret’s (1/8 off 3) first ball (scalping Footscray’s skipper) steered us back in control of the innings. Alex Eden Lachowicz (1/11 off 5) and Pat Nunan put their feet to the throat of Footsracy’s tail, with Nunan almost picking up a hat-trick. In the second half of the innings we didn’t bowl any extras and were much better in the field – an excellent turnaround from the first 20 overs. A special mention to Nick “Gaz” Harries who was excellent with the gloves, with 5 catches including one ripper off Lash’s straight-spinners along with conceding zero byes. At the end of the first innings, Footscray made 10/159 off 36.2 overs.
At the break the boys tucked into an immaculate spread, thanks to the great work of Melissa Paul for her tasty cookies and Carl Nunan and David MacIsaac sanga’s, giving the energy the Magoo’s needed to put us into the granny. Andrew Seal (63* off 114) and Jesse Lucchesi (52 off 67) were terrific opening the batting together. Footscray bowled a tidy opening spell starting the innings 0/19 off 8 overs, however Sealy and Jesse bided their time and kept their cool, capitalising on the loose deliveries from their first change bowlers. Our openers freed up their game with Jesse hitting many lofted cover drives, turning would-be 2’s into 3’s and very quick singles, as well Sealy’s cut shots and flicks through midwicket. With this great mix of poise and shot-making, Jesse and Sealy got us to the dream start at drinks, having the Old Xav’s 0/87 off 20 overs, needing 73 to win and get us into a Grand Final. The openers continued their dominance after the break making runs for fun as Jesse brought up his brilliant 50, only to be stumped off some nice glovework two balls later. With Jesse’s departure brought Gaz’s arrival, as Nick Harries (29* off 40) continued putting Footscray to the sword and batted well alongside Sealy, picking apart their bowlers. After not long, Gaz and Sealy effortlessly brought us to victory hitting the winning runs with three overs to spare, winning the game 1/161 off 36.5 overs.
After 5 rounds, the 2’s were 1-4 with dreams of finals seeming well out of reach. To then win 5 out of our last 6 games against the best teams in the competition has been an amazing effort. Details of the Grand Final are to be announced shortly, we’re looking forward to seeing you all at the game and cheer us on!
GO XAVS!!!
