VSDCA: Ormond, Werribee advance to south-west section grand final

Werribee has advanced to its third consecutive grand final and Ormond its second on the hop after strong wins in the Sub-District semi-finals.

Top Tiger Matthew Dean helped Werribee finish what its bowlers started against Caulfield.

Werribee relished the role of giant killer in last season’s north-west VSDCA grand final when it toppled the undefeated and apparently unbeatable Kew.

The Tigers sprang another surprise on Saturday when they thrashed minor south-west premier Caulfield to go through to another decider.

They’ll meet Ormond at EE Gunn Reserve this Saturday after the Monders eased past Oakleigh in the other semi-final.

It was a rout at Caulfield Park.

Werribee swept through Caulfield’s formidable batting line-up for 78 and reached 0-79 in 19 overs, openers Matthew Dean (52no) and Matthew Gudde (27no) starting and finishing the run chase.

Former Premier paceman Hamish Winter-Irving (4-12) had the best figures for an attack that reduced Caulfield to 6-31.

Only opener Jono Aikins (44 off 120 balls) and to a lesser extent Dale Denny (16no of 50) presented any resistance.

Even the great Graeme Rummans was caught up in the collapse, out for a third-ball duck.

Rarely has Caulfield played so poorly or been beaten so resoundingly in the past 20 years.

“Not a good day. We played awfully and they played well and that’s all you need to do in a prelim to lose it,’’ Caulfield captain Jacob Thorne said.

“Just one of those days really. There’s not much you can dissect from it, aside from just drowning your sorrows.

“We never really got into the game, to be honest, were never even level-pegging at any point.

“We lost an early one and then it was a procession. Jono was the only one who stood up. It’s the worst day we’ve had in my seven years at the club. All you can really do is write it off. We had a great year, so many blokes did really well, our performances throughout the season were really good. We just ran out of a bit of steam towards the end and that probably started to reflect in our performances in the last month.’’

Thorne said Werribee – which has qualified for its third consectuve grand final – was a fine side.

He said he regarded the Tigers as the team to beat before the season started, and hadn’t changed his mind.

Caulfield defeated Ormond in last season’s grand final at The Gunn, and the Monders will again host the decider after putting away Oakleigh.

Ormond batsman Cormac Hassett. Picture: Valeriu Campan

They chased down 7-164, hitting 5-170 after openers Adam Bull (45) and Rory Freeman (46) set out with a partnership of 82, subduing the Oaks’ new-ball threat.

James Wild, with 38 not out off 49 balls, saw the Monders home.

From last season’s team, the Monders look stronger for the inclusions of openers Bull, Freeman, keeper Cormac Hassett, and coach and medium-pacer Murray Ring.

Bull is up to 753 runs at 50.2, Freeman has 466 at 29.1 and Hassett 358 at 21.1, and Ring has picked up 17 wickets and locked into an attack featuring pacemen Rodney Bird, Nick Oaten and Brendan Barry, and spinners Wild and Tom Buchanan.

“It’s a different side this season,’’ Ring said.

“Last season we relied more on our bowling to get the job done but this year we’re a bit more balanced.’’

Ring said he had a high opinion of Werribee.

“In my past life at Williamstown they were always formidable,’’ he said.

“They’re similar to us. They’re such a balanced team. No out-and-out superstars. They play their roles. If you focus on a few players and you get through them, it generally works in your favour. With them, everyone can do everything. They’re bloody good. Three grannies in a row for them? That’s an amazing feat.’’

Ormond’s last premiership was in 2014-15. From that side, Wild, James Bartholomeusz and Bird will play in Saturday’s grand final.