CSB Championship Div Premiers – South Caulfield

South Caulfield 7 / 218 Vs Bentleigh 216  

It was a tight game across both days, luckily uninterrupted by weather and played in positive spirit. Bentleigh batted first, creating a solid base with a steady 50 run opening partnership before South Caulfield took regular wickets to eventually get on top when Bentleigh were 7/110. All bowlers were economical, but the key was Lewis Mildenhall with 5 of the first 6 wickets (finishing with 6/58). Bentleigh fought back with the tail supporting an aggressive Shane Jeffree who finished with an impressive 66 not out off less than 90 balls. From 7/110, Bentleigh were able to press to 216 all out in 63 overs, including a 37 run partnership for the last wicket. Runs on the board in finals are always paramount, especially when setting a target of over 200. A critical phase of the game was the 14 overs for South Caulfield to bat late on day one. Despite fatigue from the field, South were able to close out the days play with a strong 0/45, with Brad Erasmus playing affirmatively.  Despite the strong start, it was always going to be a tense chase on the Sunday, especially when Erasmus was dismissed early in the day, followed by a second wicket almost immediately. South Caulfield stabilised through Lewis Mildenhall (60) were able to avoid multi wicket losses as they crept toward the total. With the loss of Mildenhall at 6/181 the pressure mounted, with new batsmen, diminishing overs and the pressure of a grand final chase. In the end, the late middle order depth of  South Caulfield sustained, reaching the 217 target with 7 wickets down and about 10 overs to spare. Cantrell with 4/71 and Chasemore with 2/59 bowled a mountain of overs to keep the pressure on the South Caulfield chase all day. Player of the match was Lewis Mildenhall with 6/58 and 60 runs (following his 5/29 and 32 not out in the semi final 

CSB Championship Division Premiers for Season 2023-24 South Caulfield