VSDCA south-west: Malvern’s Will Beattie and Hoppers Crossing’s Abbas Faiyaz excel under pressure

A Malvern young gun dominated while a Hoppers Crossing tailender blasted a six to secure a stunning victory. Port Melbourne, Taylors Lakes, Caulfield, Ormond and Williamstown also had vital wins in VSDCA south-west section.

He bowled “maturely” and batted “beautifully”.

It was a near perfect performance wrapped in one for Malvern young gun Will Beattie in his side’s win over Yarraville on Saturday.

He wrestled the Roosters back into the game with 4-39 before guiding his side home with an unbeaten 95.

Beattie’s spell in the first innings held Yarraville to 214 before his half-century in the second innings cemented victory.

“He (Beattie) came on at a difficult time when we started poorly and were trying to drag it back,” Malvern captain Tom Rickarby said of Beattie’s bowling.

“He bowled nine overs on the bounce for 4-39 and really held one end together for us; he took a couple of nice catches off his own bowling and bowled very maturely.”

Malvern's Will Beattie. Picture: Supplied.

Beattie’s innings with the bat had balance of temperament and flair — packing nine fours and two sixes into the 123-ball stay.

Rickarby (43) had a solid viewing point for Beattie’s batting innings, adding 79 with the opener after striding to meet him at 2-29.

“He anchored us beautifully,” Rickarby said.

“He had a bit of luck at the start and then was able to find his straps and batted within himself – he got a bit expansive at the end but timed his innings perfectly.

“It meant that in the end, after some nervous times, we got the job done pretty comfortably.

“I think we’ve got to remember that two years ago he wasn’t batting at all, he was at nine or 10 and wasn’t exposed to this type of bowling.

“He’s getting better every week and is working his way through challenges in his own style and making sure he’s got a strategy to succeed.”

Malvern is one of four sides to remain undefeated after two rounds.

Caulfield, another unblemished side, recorded a commanding win over rivals Oakleigh.

Vinnie Page (42), James Crosthwaite (33), Jacob Thorne (43) and Josh Rymell (45no) combined to lift the Fielders to 5-210 after their 45 overs.

Left-arm spinner Jeremy Corby (3-18 off nine) put the clamps on the hosts in the second innings as Caulfield dismissed the Oaks for 143.

Abbas Faiyaz blasted Hoppers Crossing to victory. Picture: Andy Brownbil

Hoppers Crossing No. 8 Abbas Faiyaz smashed a six to secure a gripping one-wicket victory over Elsternwick.

Teetering at 9-194 chasing 200 for victory, Hoppers clawed their way to 9-199 when Faiyaz hit one out of the park off the bowling of Hugh Bennett. Faiyaz finished unbeaten on 23 off 25 balls.

Earlier, Hoppers Crossing skipper Simon Lambert made 61 and Brett Smith 41. For Elsternwick, Dasun Opanayaka peeled off 66no and skipper Zach Grundmann 56.

An unbeaten 88 from captain Steffan Roberts propelled Taylors Lakes to its second win of the summer.

The Lions, chasing Spotswood’s 9-164, were in some early trouble when Roberts walked to the middle.

He took the Lions from 2-19 to 4-165 with the assistance of Nilan Fernando (32).

Port Melbourne, meanwhile, changed the game in quick time against Melton.

Melton was 3-76 before spinner Nick Sharpin (4-15) and Muhammad Arslan Khan (3-30) forced a collapse.

The visitors lost 6-42 to post a slender total of 118.

Port Melbourne, with a scatter of starts from its top five, chased the total in the 25th over.

Sean Sturrock in action for Williamstown. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A crisp captain’s innings from Sean Sturrock fired Williamstown to a three-wicket win over Moorabbin.

Needing 165 for victory, Willy were wobbling at 6-98 before Sturrock (33) and Piran Kent (32no) batted beautifully.

Earlier, Moorabbin opener Luke Ashen blasted 57 off 28 balls.

Zac Sleeman (38), Miles Sellenger (36) and Bailey Moon (26) set up Ormond’s win over Werribee before Sellenger nabbed 3-20 with the ball to complete the job; the Monders (127) shooting out Werribee for 123. Moon, with 2-31, also impressed with the ball.

Cooper Bingham peeled off 60 (4 fours, 2 sixes) to set up Brighton’s 56-run win over Altona. Bingham, Nicholas Gillard (40), Charles Dowling and Andrew Martin (18no) helped the Tonners to7-174 off their 45 overs. William Sist grabbed early wickets as Altona struggled to 118 all out. Sist finished with 2-12 off seven overs, while Brighton skipper Peter Cassiday snared 3-15. Bingham capped a great day with three catches behind the stumps.