VSDCA: Ricky Damiano delivers another superb knock to propel Brighton to victory
A Brighton superstar delivered again on “a typical Subbies wicket”, while two teams pushed their case for outright victories. All that and more in this week’s Subbies wrap.
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Brighton’s maestro did it again.
In pursuit of Caulfield’s 10-208, Tonners star Ricky Damiano delivered another classic knock, scoring 91 on what coach John Damiano described as “a typical Subbies wicket”.
Joining Glen Parker (74 not out) at 3-21, Damiano and Parker fought hard before the right-hander broke open the game.
He hit 14 fours and one towering six in his 124-ball stay.
“Could be season defining in a way,” coach Damiano said of the 141-run partnership.
“It was more the way they went about it, they knew what they had to do and I think early on they batted accordingly.
“Rick’s innings was very slow at the start and then probably finished off his last 80 scoring at a run a ball.
“Two mature and very good players that summed up the conditions and batted accordingly – it was a great partnership.”
Of the three players to pass 50 (Fielders’ Jeremy Corby scored 70no from 202), Damiano was the only batter to strike at more than 40.
Coach Damiano said his brother’s ability to take the game away from Caulfield in a short period of time was the difference in the game.
“Rick was the only one that scored at a real tempo,” he said.
“He was the difference in the game, if you watch how he batted, he scored at a good clip.
“Parks (Glen Parker) did a great job to bat time and so did their bat that got runs, it wasn’t easy to score – especially when you’ve got two really good attacks – on a typical Subbies wicket.
“Of the bats that batted a good time, he’s the only one that could take it on.
“That’s the benefit of having him in the team; it’s not necessarily how many runs you score in a year – which he does score a lot – but it’s about how you get them.
“He just breaks the game open.”
Opening bowlers Pete Cassidy (4-89) and Will Sist (5-34) took nine of the Tonners’ 10 wickets on day 1.
The win is “great in the scheme of things” according to Damiano, as it now pushes the Tonners a win clear of the Fielders in fourth.
Elsewhere, Balwyn fell agonisingly short of Noble Park’s total, being bowled out in the final over just seven runs off the Bulls.
Adi Narayana (63) was the pick of the Balwyn batters but his half-century wasn’t enough to guide his side to victory.
Sahan Perera took 4-60 for Noble Park.
Mt Waverley, led by Shenuka De Silva, kept its finals dream alive with a strong win over Moorabbin.
De Silva claimed 5-16 to dismiss Moorabbin for 93 in the first innings, 193 short of the visitors’ first innings total.
Despite bowling well in the second innings, Mt Waverley failed to dismiss Moorabbin again to claim outright victory.
The win keeps Mt Waverley within three points of Malvern in sixth.
That Malvern outfit also pushed for outright victory and too fell short against Endeavour Hills.
After a brave declaration only 46 runs ahead, the Roosters were challenged in the third innings with Endeavour Hills registering 229.
Tom Rickarby’s men certainly had a go, pumping 112 in just 15 overs, but the task was ultimately too great.
The first-innings points keeps the Roosters in the three-team log jam on 42 points.
127 not out from Cian Dickinson wasn’t enough for Box Hill to chase down Ormond’s 213, with the Mustangs finishing 17 runs shy of victory.
Dickinson belted 11 fours and two sixes in his commanding century but had no teammate go with him.
Elsternwick unsurprisingly defended its monster score of 372, dismissing Bayswater for 191.
Oliver Birts jagged 5-48 for the Eels.
A host of starts with the bat allowed Oakleigh to chase down Donvale’s 9-170 just five wickets down.
Nathan Harford, Ryan Pearson, Jack Clark, Sam Jones and Matt Grace all got going but none reached 50.
The Oaks needed just 54.1 overs to reel in Donvale’s total.
Croydon resurrected its horror first innings with the bat by batting strongly in the second dig.
Port Melbourne declared 118 runs ahead of the hosts but Croydon managed to bat out the day to finish with 4-178 on the board.
Cameron Vos scored 74 not out for Croydon while Lewis O’Donnell took 2-37 in the second innings.
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