Sub-District cricket: Caulfield captain Jacob Thorne hits his third century of the season

Jacob Thorne cracked his third century of the Sub-District season and his eighth for Caulfield as it swept past old rival Malvern at Malvern City Oval.

Caulfield captain Jacob Thorne last season became the first player to win three consecutive Val Holten Medals in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.

Everything suggests he’ll make it four on the bounce.

The champion all-rounder has had another outstanding season and on Saturday he hit his third century of 2018-19 to bump up his run tally to a competition-best 647.

He also has 42 wickets; as consistent as a grandfather clock, he’s returned similar numbers since joining Caulfield four years ago.

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Thorne’s 109 against Malvern at the City Oval was his eighth century for the club, putting him equal with Shaun Richardson.

Only Bryan Harper (11 centuries) and Ricky Damiano (10) have more tons.

And Thorne is on track to top the run-aggregate record of 713, held by himself and Matty Lawrence. Jacob’s ladder has many rungs, and runs.

The Fielders resumed at 1-29 in reply to the Roosters’ 137 and Thorne and Jon Aikins took them to 220 with a 192-run partnership.

Left-hander Aikins, returning to the side after making 66 in the Second XI in the previous round, crafted 82 off 214 balls before falling caught behind to Glen Parker.

Thorne followed soon after from a leading edge, a second wicket for Malvern first-gamer Ben Slack.

Ormond skipper James Wild (above) says Jacob Thorne is an “absolute quality player and one of the best the competition’s ever seen’’.

The right-hander hit 14 fours and 1 six in a 158-ball, 235-minute stay.

The match finished with Caulfield at 3-234, keeping it six points clear on top of the ladder.

“What a player,’’ Ormond captain James Wild said of Thorne this morning.

“He seems to get better and better. To get four (Val Holten Medals) … I don’t think anyone would beat that. He’s pretty much got his hand on the medal already, you’d think. Absolute quality player and one of the best the competition’s ever seen.’’

Ormond jumped to fifth on the table after routing Yarraville, replying to 159 with 2-160.

Former Moorabbin captain Lee Weiss cracked 87 off 108 balls (11 fours, 1 six) and put on 114 for the second wicket with 16-year-old Kobe Heitlinger, who in his third First XI match opened the batting and was 39 not out off 155 balls.

Monders captain Wild said Weiss “came in busy, took the game on, used his feet well, went over the top when he needed to, batted really well’’.

He said Heitlinger, an Under 18 South East Cricket Association representative this season, was the anchor.

“He’s very neat, knows his game already, he’ll defend when he has to and put the bad ball away. He’s very patient. He’ll leave a lot of balls, which is good at a time when with all the limited-overs stuff batters want to play a lot of shots. He’s willing to build an innings and cash in after tea when the bowlers get tired.’’

The Monders play Altona in the final round and Wild said they would not be taking the As lightly.

Elsternwick was left six points out of the top six when it came in well short of Williamstown’s 239.

The Wicks made 133 and, following on, were 1-33 when stumps were called.

Skipper Cam Christiansen top scored with 43 but he was the only player in the top six to go past 20.

Elsty play Yarraville in the final round.