VSDCA south-west section: Johnathon Aikins hits maiden century for Caulfield

Johnathon Aikins continued his impressive season by batting through the innings and scoring a maiden century for Caulfield.

Johnathon Aikins after his century at Caulfield Park on Saturday.

A clip behind square for two and there it was, a maiden century in Sub-District First XI cricket for Johnathon Aikins.

In fact, it was his first ton in any cricket.

The 24-year-old Caulfield left-hander finished 101 not out as the Fielders, on top of the ladder, swept past Yarraville at Caulfield Park on Saturday.

Aikins batted through the innings of 5-237 and then grabbed Yarraville’s last two wickets as it fell for 142.

He had 2-0 off 0.3 overs; it really was his day.

Aikins started the season in the middle-order. But he’s been opening with Daniel Forbes since David Tantsis-Hall went down with a torn hamstring against Moorabbin on December 5.

His scores read well: 35, 36no, 73, 43 and 101no.

Teammate Graeme Rummans said Aikins batted impressively on a slow wicket.

“It wasn’t the easiest wicket to score on,’’ he said.

“He worked the ball around and hit the gaps and it should give him a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.

“His batting in the last four or five weeks has been outstanding, very consistent.’’

Johnathon Aikins splashes out with a cover drive. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Rummans added: “Great reward for him to finally get a hundred, because he’s really keen and looking to improve his cricket all the time,’’ he said.

Aikins played junior cricket at Hampton United – alongside his best mate Will Pucovski – and played in the Craig Shield for Caulfield in 2010-11. The following season he began playing in the Fourth XI, and gained a First XI debut in 2016-17.

Last season he was part of the premiership team and averaged 23.7 in the middle-order, playing a number of busy knocks in the one-day format.

“Adrian Jones (coach) and Jake Thorne (captain) wanted me to try to evolve my game, which I think was good for me,’’ he said of 2020-21.

Jones responded: “Last year with the one-dayers we moved him down the order to see if he could expand his game a little bit. He did. It worked out well for his cricket. I think he could do with a bit more confidence, but yesterday might be the start of something.’’

Thorne collected another three cheap wickets to take his season tally to 30 at 9.7. Throw in 352 runs at 50.3 and he’s in contention to win his fifth Val Holten Medal.

With 10 wins and one loss, Caulfield is on top of the south-west section ladder.

Oakleigh has the same record, with its latest win coming over Williamstown, with the Pearson brothers again doing well. Ryan made 54 in a total of 7-175 and took 2-30 off five overs. Blake nabbed 4-30 off 8.3.

Ormond, fourth on the ladder, blew an outstanding start to come up short against Werribee, third, at Chirnside Park.

Chasing 7-189, the Monders were given a century-stand by openers Adam Bull (55 off 70 balls) and Rory Freeman (63 off 99). But they lost their way and were all out for 176 in the last over.

Malvern moved to within three points of the top six after protecting a total of 149, bowling out Altona for 127, with big Ben Nethersole collecting 4-29 off 8.5 overs.

Zac Hines, who started the season in the Roosters’ Fourth XI and plundered more than 300 runs in five knocks, top scored with a patient 54 from the opening slot.

Elsternwick captain LJ Edwards ended a run of outs with an innings of 64 to help pin another loss on Spotswood, which slipped to sixth.

Elsty reached 8-190 and held Spotty to 9-182.

Port Melbourne, proving to be more than competitive in its return to the VSDCA after a long absence, picked up its fourth win, at the expense of Hoppers Crossing.

No 8 Mack Burdett blitzed 83 off only 62 balls – with 9 fours and 1 six – as Port flashed to 221 after being 7-108.

With opener Henro Dias (75 off 134) playing the role of innings mainstay and Brett Smith’s 54 coming off 51 balls, Hoppers gave it a good go, replaying with 9-211.

Port gun Ryan McDonald took 3-12 off nine overs.

Moorabbin’s batting fired as it came in with 5-240 against bottom side Melton, which was all out for 207.

Renaldo Dias was man of the match for the Binners: he hit 54 off 75 balls from No 3 and claimed 4-40 off eight overs.

Big Luke Ashen got the home team going with 36 off 17 balls, putting away 3 sixes, and skipper Roshie Livera (45 off 50) was busy in the later overs.

Brighton’s 9-209 was more than enough to defeat Taylors Lakes (145), with 18-year-old right-hander Charles Dowling (44 off 30) showing out again.

“He’s class,’’ Tonners skipper Ricky Damiano said.

“There are some good young players in the comp. I’m sure he’d be one of the best by a long way. Just times the ball unbelievably well. I haven’t seen many blokes time it better.’’