by Samuel Laffy

Western Park (8/287) def. Ellinbank (123)
Gavin Roulston saved his best innings of the season for the semi final clash between Western Park and Ellinbank, as the Irish import compiled a stunning century to lead the Warriors into yet another grand final appearance – the dream of a threepeat still very much alive heading into the conclusion of another thrilling summer of cricket.

After a slightly shaky start – although in saying that he did dispatch Jack Pandolfo over the scoreboard and into the pond in just the second over of the day – Roulston quickly settled.
And on a pitch holding no demons he displayed the strokeplay that saw him represent his country at the Under 19 World Cup in 2024.
Scything the ball through the off-side – being particularly harsh on anything with even a hint of width – 'Gravy' ensured that the Eagles attack was forced to toil under the searing sun, anchoring the Western Park innings as they once again showed the gap in class between the two sides.
Although dismissed not long after reaching three figures, Roulston's 102 anchored the innings and allowed Greg Munro (a dynamic 34), Sanjaya Gangodawila (a typically swashbuckling 26), and Sam Batson (a run-a-ball 44) to free their arms and accelerate.
Thomas Keily (2/71 from 22) and Sean Masterson (3/62 off 19) displayed tremendous spirit with the ball, and charged in relentlessly in their search for wickets, but Ellinbank were still left staring down a hefty run chase.
Beginning their chase, many thought an aggressive approach might be adopted by the Eagles in order to disrupt the normally stingy Warriors attack.
But the early loss of Matt Brewer – caught at second slip off the bowling of Tyler McDonald – saw Daniel Pandolfo and Sean Masterson shut up shop.
The pair battled valiantly, but despite looking strong in defence they weren't able to break the rhythm of the bowlers, and the overs began to tick away.
Sam Batson (who snared 5/25 from 12) broke the game open soon after, forcing Tom Keily into a half-hearted push – with the chance accepted by Zane Harper – and then having Nick Fairbank chip a catch to mid-wicket; the score 5/57.
Curtis Howell (a spritely 40) did what he could to resist, but with McDonald (2/24) and Ben Clarke (2/32 from 16.1) providing valuable support the die was cast and Ellinbank could only make 123 before being dismissed in the 53rd over.
Speaking after the game, Western Park's Sam Batson praised Roulston's knock, noting that the knock was just reward for the work he's put in over the summer.
"Gavin's been building all year, a lot of starts figuring out the conditions of our wicket and his role. His composure and ability to absorb pressure was the difference Saturday, which was so pleasing given the work he's put in."
Drouin (4/147) def. Hallora (109)
Hallora have long been renowned for their ability to 'take the game deep' – as many a cricketing pundit espouses – which made the manner of their defeat on the weekend scarcely believable, with the Kangaroos slumping to a dismal loss of day one of their semi final with Drouin.
Indeed, predictions for the day amongst those in attendance just before the first drinks break had all and sundry in agreement that it was Hallora in the position of strength, sitting at 0/60 with Brett Williams (14 from 57) and Kian Burns (a sterling knock of 44) looking in control.
What followed was one of the more remarkable collapses, with the Drouin attack nigh on unstoppable as they honed in on the pads and stumps of the Kangaroos XI.
Gamini Kumara (who snared 4/12 from eight) was the stand-out with ball in hand, and his ability to move the ball late saw Andrew Donohue (4), Ethan Guest (a first-ball duck), and Tom Williams trapped plumb in front.
Troy Lehman (2/35) and Brad Glover (2/13) provided sensational support and extracted life out of a mostly flat wicket to hasten the Halloran collapse. Ten wickets fell for just 48 runs as the Kangaroos slumped to 109 all out in the 49th over.
Speaking post-game, a representative from Drouin said that the turn-around was a reflection on the depth the Hawks have in their attack.
"After being 0/60 just on drinks it could have been easy to let things ride but we kept our pressure and cut the boundaries prior to bring about a couple of wickets and from there it was clinical with the ball, especially on a flat wicket."
Small chases can sometimes prove to among the trickier though, and Hallora would have been inspired by the excellent form of Ethan Guest with the new ball. He first induced a leading edge from James Wilcock (3) that was gleefully accepted by Burns, before trapping Trevor Gardiner in front soon after for five.
However, Drouin had two of the more confident bats in the competition waiting in the wings, and Kumara (a glorious 55) and Damon Healy (60* from 60 that including a handful of crunching slog-swept sixes) added 97 in a blitzkrieg fourth-wicket stand that took the Hawks past Hallora's total and onto 4/147 before it was agreed that there was simply no way back for the Kangaroos.