Sport
14 February, 2025
Derri Tigers finals-bound
DERRINALLUM cricketers now have their sights set on finals with just two home and away rounds remaining of the Grenville Association’s 2024/25 season.
The Tigers have had an impressive season with nine wins under their belts and currently sit second on the league ladder.
Their performance is in stark contrast to last year, when the Tigers finished in sixth with just three wins on the board.
According to club president Drew Uren, all going well the Tigers look set to enter their first finals campaign in more than a decade.
“We made finals about seven or eight years ago but that was back when the division was split into A and B grades for finals,” he said.
“It’s certainly been a long time and everyone at the club is excited; they’re all up and about and looking forward to the weeks ahead.”
Uren attributed the inclusion of four or so new players in the off-season who, combined with some ‘locals’ from last year, have settled in well and produced some strong results.
“We’ve been very fortunate picking up four or so new blokes and most of them are great all-rounders which has been very handy,” he said.
“Karan (Brar) is a strong all-rounder and Gurwinder (Singh Samra) is a pace bowler who really has an impact.”
Round 15 at Derrinallum Recreation Reserve last Saturday saw the Tigers notch up win number nine for the season, defeating Carngham.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, making 10/136 in just under 40 overs.
Best of the bowlers for the Tigers was Baljeet Singh who finished with an impressive 3/13 off seven overs.
Wickets also fell for captain Ned Uren 2/17 off eight, Hunter Thompson 2/25 off 7.5, Karan Brar 1/32, Xavier Coutts 1/8 and Guwinder Singh Samra 1/35.
In reply, Derrinallum made 7/137 in the 36th over thanks to a strong batting performance by opener Ned Uren who made 37 from 70 deliveries, which included two boundaries and a six.
He was well supported by middle-order batsman Harpreet Singh who was unbeaten on 30, Ben Carr (22 not out) and Yuvi Gill (16).
The remaining two rounds of the home and away season will see Derrinallum take on bottom-side Linton at Smythesdale this Saturday, with the final round to be played on Saturday, February 22 at home against the seventh-placed Rokewood.
“With two rounds to go, the top four positions certainly aren’t cemented in,” Uren said.
“It’s anyone’s game; we are quietly confident in second spot but we really need to win at least one of our two remaining matches – if we can win both then we’re a good chance to secure a home ground advantage for finals.
“Even though they’re sitting seventh, Rokewood have really found some form in recent weeks and are no easy beats; they’ve had some good wins recently.”
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