Noble Park run machine Sahan Perera lights up VSDCA T20 opening round

The reigning Val Holten medallist dazzled with yet another rapid century, while there were final-ball thrillers and marquees showing their class in Tuesday night’s VSDCA T20 opener.

Sahan Perera's appetite for big runs is showing no signs of slowing down.

ANOTHER ton for Noble Park champion Sahan Perera.

The reigning Val Holten medallist blasted an unbeaten 100 off 50 balls in Tuesday night’s T20 opener to lift his side to a 66-run win over Endeavour Hills.

It’s little surprise to Noble Park president Craig Ortland to see the captain firing on all cylinders.

The Sri Lankan is averaging a whopping 103.8 in the Subbies’ North-East group this season with a leading 519 runs to his name – alongside 20 wickets at 18.15.

The 33-year-old’s century last night included eight fours and five sixes.

“He’s the most consistent player we’ve seen at Noble Park – he just churns out runs after runs every time … he knows his game very well and he doesn’t throw his wicket away which is a real asset to him,” Ortland said.

“He gets himself in, and sometimes he’s a little bit slow to get going, but he certainly catches up and his ability to hit the ball to all parts of the ground is fantastic.

“His shot selection is good, his temperament is amazing – he doesn’t play many rash shots at all, if any.”

Sahan Perera's appetite for big runs is showing no signs of slowing down.

Tuesday night’s heroics followed a matchwinning effort in the VSDCA’s representative game against the Victorian Country Cricket League in December – with Perera driving an unbeaten 100.

“He was as good as any you’d see that day,” Ortland said.

The spinner also snared 2-6 off an over in Tuesday night’s victory.

Ortland says Perera does his homework with the ball – and his influence around the club continues to lift teammates to higher levels.

“He works hard on his game – he’s always ringing me to get the key to get the bowling machine out … he loves cricket,” he said.

“He’s a great teammate as well – he’s more than happy to pass on his knowledge to the young kids. Jaspreet Singh has gone on to play at Frankston this year … Sahan was really looking after him.

“He’s great with the young kids, and he’s a really nice, humble person.”

Luke Ashen.

Elsewhere, Luke Ashen propelled Moorabbin to victory with a dazzling 85 against Caulfield.

Ashen put a quick dent in the Fielders’ 7-132 with his 45-ball blitz which included eight fours and five sixes.

Melbourne Stars off-spinner Doug Warren opened the batting and bowling for Balwyn in its win over Donvale.

He failed with the bat but helped restrict Donvale to 6-94 off 20 with a suffocating spell of 1-16 off four.

Harrison Goad also gave nothing away, snaring 1-9 off his four overs.

Declan O’Brien was in a hurry during Spotswood’s chase against Altona, surging Spotty to an eight-wicket win in the 13th over.

O’Brien struck an unbeaten 42 off just 18 balls after Patrick McArdle took 3-25 in the first innings.

Preston’s Syed Hammah Ali Shah played the anchor role in his side’s four-wicket win against Coburg.

Coburg set the visitors 8-106 and looked on track to defend its total when Preston was 5-66 in reply.

But a calculated 43no from the Preston opener helped his team home against an attack spearheaded by Carlton leggie Michael Archer (3-9 off four).

Prahran all-rounder Brodie Symons did it all in Port Melbourne’s seven-wicket win over Ormond.

Symons took 2-16 as the Borough reduced the Monders to 87 and then fired 51no off 38 balls opening the batting in the second innings.

Brodie Symons. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Plenty Valley celebrated a win over Kew courtesy of a half century from opener Sunil Dhamala.

Dhamala hit 51 off 34 balls in reply to Kew’s 7-134.

Will Chesterman scored over half of Melton’s runs in a low-scoring battle with Werribee.

Chesterman’s 57no helped the hosts reel in the Tigers’ 5-103 five wickets down.

Ryder Medal winner Harry Smyth showed his class with 58no for Box Hill.

Mt Waverley set 5-121 before Smyth steered the Mustangs home in the 19th over.

Former Victorian tearaway Matt Fotia took Bayswater to victory over Croydon.

Fotia top-scored with 27 before capturing 3-12 in Bayswater’s 26-run win.

4-10 from Max Tryfonos was crucial in Malvern’s run defence against Oakleigh.

The Roosters posted a bleak 104 in the first innings but it proved enough as they dismissed the Oaks for 84.

Williamstown secured a final-ball victory against Strathmore, impressively defending 79.

Strathmore needed 10 to win off the final over, and four off the final ball, but were restricted to 9-78.

Mason King was the final-over bowler.

Elsternwick didn’t suffer the same fate as it did against Brighton on Saturday, courtesy of 63 from 36 balls from Tom Cooper.

The Eels chased Brighton’s 114 down with seven wickets and more than five overs in hand.

Yarraville failed to chase Hoppers Crossing’s 149 despite finishing the match with four wickets in the shed.

The visitors needed 11 off the final over with five wickets in hand but were only able to score eight.

St Bernard’s OC defeated Taylors Lakes by four wickets, surpassing the Lions’ 8-103 in the 17th over.

The VSDCA T20 Twilight Competition continue next Tuesday.