However, the day didn’t go so well for the Auburn Green team in the Chappelow Cup Competition, losing its semi-final to Roseville.
Fifth grade started strong against Georges River, with Captain Steven Grasion taking the bold step to open the bowling with off spinner, Asif Haider.
The move worked well with the Georges River batsman struggling to master the combination of pace and spin opening the bowling attack for the Eagles. The Eagles soon had the Georges River top order batters in trouble, with wickets falling at regular intervals to have them 6/103 and looking down the barrel of a small total for the Eagles to chase.
However, the Eagles became complacent and some sloppy fielding and dropped catches relaxed the pressure on the opposition, allowing the Georges River middle/lower order batters to take the attack to the Eagles and eventually post a very respectable and challenging score of 9/206 off its allocated 40 overs.
The best of the Eagle bowlers were Randy Ebert with 3/44, Asif Haider with 2/23 and Michael Parkinson with 2/36.
With a grand-final spot on the line, the Eagles batters needed to step up and be counted if they were to wheel in Georges River’s imposing total.
However, the Eagles pursuit of the target, struck immediate trouble when opener, Sanketh Gitte was out for just two runs.
Wickets continued to fall, with the likelihood of chasing down the target of 207 looking forlorn with innings stalling at 6/103 off 27 overs. At that point, the only Eagles batsman to show any fight had been Mohamed Alawi who made a hard fought 25 runs.
With Eagles in deep trouble, Wijedesa took matters into his own hands to take apart the Georges River bowlers to smash 123 not out, which included an incredible 10 sixes and 6 fours.
Together with Asif Haider (29 not out), Wijedesa put on a seventh wicket partnership of 104 runs to steer the Eagles to a total of 6/207 and secure a victory against the odds.
They will take on Pennant Hills in the Grand Final next Saturday.
