VSDCA 2018-19: Ricky Damiano hits another century as Brighton runs down Oakleigh

Brighton star Ricky Damiano moved closer to the all-time record for the most hundreds in a VSDCA career as Brighton overhauled a tough target against Oakleigh.

It was a tall order for Brighton.

Oakleigh had put up 9-254 on day one and few VSDCA teams are beaten when they go past 250.

But led by their captain and champion batsman Ricky Damiano, the Tonners romped it in, replying with 6-255 in 73.4 overs at the Brighton Beach Oval on Saturday.

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In the previous round Damiano had hit 125 out of Brighton’s total of 176.

Against the Oaks he made it successive centuries with 143 not out, off 216 balls and with 13 fours.

It took him to the top of the south-west section run chart with 470 at 58.75, made at a strike rate of 79.7.

It was also Damiano’s 14th century in Sub-District cricket; only the legendary Val Holten (19) and Anthony “Butch’’ Gale (15) have more.

Ricky Damiano takes a breather in the changerooms after his 143 not out.

The Tonners had it all to do after losing Brenton Murphy (0), Ben Johns (15), Marcus Glenister (2) and Navin Cooray (7) before they were 100.

Again Damiano was dominating the scoring.

The dismissal of Jack Rutter for 15 left the hosts 5-115 but Damiano found some steady company in the form of Englishman Jack Bransgrove.

Their partnership for the sixth wicket was worth 130.

Bransgrove’s 59 came off 91 deliveries, was spiced with 3 fours and 3 sixes, and sat smartly with his four wickets on day one.

He was dismissed with 10 runs needed for victory but Damiano batted through as he made back-to-back centuries for the first time.

“I struggled to score at times, to be honest,’’ Damiano said.

“It was one of those wickets where if was hard to play drives because it was a bit two-paced.

“I thought our English bloke (Bransgrove) batted really well, was really patient, but kept the scoring going. We needed four an over at one stage and he got the rate going.’’
Damiano, 31, put his run of form down to fitness and “a bit of patience and maturity … I’m starting to be a bit smarter’’.

The win lifted Brighton to eighth on the ladder, out of the top six on percentage with matches against ladder leader Caulfield, Taylors Lakes and Melton to come.

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