Highlands & Breakers book MCG berth
A sensational century to Central Highlands' Matt Short has secured a berth in the Under-18 Bushrangers Pathway Championships.
The run-a-ball hundred ensured that the Highlands would comfortably defeat the South East Sharks, and book their place at the MCG on February 24.
The Highlands will face South East Bayside Breakers in the decider after they performed a second last gasp chase in a row to defeat Northern Falcons with four balls to spare.
Tim Wighton (35) and Shea Gribben (29*) were the heroes for the Breakers, scoring at over a run a ball for the final 10 overs to provide their side with an unlikely victory.
Earlier, the Falcons looked composed against the Breakers attack, moving to 3-120 with leading run scorer Robbie Phelan (51) still at the crease.
A middle order collapse, orchestrated by Gribben (4-36) and Wighton (3-27), restricted the Falcons to 180.
In reply, the Breakers looked in trouble at 4-70 after 30 overs, but some clever batting from the middle order ensured their place on the MCG was safe for s second year in succession.
At Toorak Park, South East Sharks threatened to run away with the match in the early stages before some tight spin bowling brought the game back onto an even keel.
At 1-88 after 20, the situation was starting to look dire for the Highlands before Patrick McKenna (3-43) took the crucial wicket of Robbie Salerni for 41.
Wickets to Josh Tong and Matt Short pulled back the Sharks before two late run outs restricted their total to 222 from their 50 overs.
Central Highlands never looked in trouble on the excellent Toorak Park wicket, putting together a 55-run opening wicket partnership, before Short and McKenna pushed the score into triple figures.
The loss of McKenna for 25 would do nothing to halt Short’s progress, bringing up his century in the 35th over .
Passing the total in the 44th over, the Highlands secured their second finals appearance in three seasons under long-time coach Paull Jeffrey.
The final will see the Breakers striving for back-to-back titles, while the Highlands will be looking for their first Under-18 Bushrangers Pathway Championships title.
To follow the scores of all CV Pathway games, follow @CVPathway on Twitter and/or ‘like’ the CV Pathway Facebook page.
To see full results from the Under-18 Victorian Bushrangers Pathway Championships, click here.
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