All the key performers from VTCA semi-finals
Stunning centuries, brilliant catches and unbelievable upsets highlighted the VTCA semi-finals across the weekend. Catch up on all the highlights and standout performers.
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The Victorian Turf Cricket Association finals were simply stunning.
From brilliant individual displays to shock results, the weekend’s action had it all.
Here’s everything you need to know.
THREE IN A ROW FOR LIONS
Deer Park cruised through to its third consecutive VTCA grand final on Sunday, batting Aberfeldie out of the game. Abers might rue a decision to bowl first after winning the toss as Saturday’s heat forcing play to be called off early. The Lions posted a commanding 8-312 from their reduced 68 overs. Angelo Emmanuel smashed a superb hundred, scoring 127, before Keon Harding added a blazing 92 not out from just 76 balls – hitting seven sixes. With the heat rule again interrupting play on Sunday, Aberfeldie was left with just 22 overs. The visitors reached 5-70. Abers skipper Tallan Wright did all he could with 4-55 and 20 not out. Fawad Malook continued his outstanding form with the ball, taking 4-10, for Deer Park. After losing last season’s Senior Division grand final, the Lions are looking to go one better and will host the big dance at John McLeod Reserve.
STORM CHASING BACK-TO-BACK
Consecutive wins over reigning premier Yarraville Club has delivered Sydenham-Hillside a fairytale Senior Division grand final appearance. A three-wicket win over Clubbers with one ball to spare in the final round of the home-and-away season secured the Storm a home final and they took full advantage, romping to a 159-run victory at Hillside Reserve. Anthony Alleyne produced a textbook “captain’s knock” to set up the victory, smashing 109 from 147 balls – hitting seven boundaries and a trio of sixes. Ishan Peiris added 56, while Gayashan Weerasekara (36) and Tom Barlas (32) also made important contributions in the mammoth 6-306. In response, Yarraville Club were in trouble from the start. Competition leading run-scorer Michael Hill was out for nine at 2-11 as Clubbers collapsed to 5-68. Ash Sweet (30 not out), Nathan Johnson (23) and Allister Powell (20) steadied the ship momentarily. However, Alleyne (2-21) removed Johnson and Powell to cap a sensational performance as Clubbers were all out 147. Weerasekara (2-7) and Tim Grech (2-30) also shone with the ball.
HAIG EYE OFF IMMEDIATE PROMOTION
After being sent back to Division 1 on the back of the ball tampering saga last summer, Haig Fawkner is eyeing an immediate return back to the top tier. Haig moved into the decider on the back of a comprehensive six-wicket win over Sunshine. Three wickets each to Asher Warnakulasooriya, Nuwan Liyanapathirana and Salman Afridi helped have Sunshine all out for 171. In response, Warnakulasooriya hit a half-century to help guide his side across the line.
BRILLIANT KELLY SETS THE PLATFORM
Jordon Kelly produced one of the best knocks of the semi-final weekend, scoring a century as Airport West St Christopher’s won through to the Division 1 decider. He hit 102 off 175 and was well supported by Daniel Salpietro (66 off 110) as the Eagles posted 6-287 on day one. PEGS was all out for 236 as Ranga Cooray and Thisara Dilshan took three wickets each.
ROOSTERS BACK IN THE BIG DANCE
After falling at the semi-final hurdle last season, Altona Roosters would not be denied again. The Division 2 minor premier secured its place in the grand final with a three-wicket win over Williamstown CYMS at Langshaw Reserve. Having won the toss and chosen to bowl, Roosters dismissed the visitors for 127. Nathan Pobega was the main destroyer, taking 4-26 in a wicked spell. Tail-ender Ben Johnson was CYMS’ top-scorer with 26. However, Roosters were in immediate trouble in the chase. Aside from Nadeera Thuppahi (31) and Aiden Elkington (27), five of the top seven batters were out for ducks as the home side collapsed to 7-85. Stand up Leigh Lewis and Matt Short. The pair’s match-winning 43-run eighth-wicket partnership snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Lewis finished 39 not out from an incredible 119 balls, while Short was unbeaten 11 from 76 deliveries. Jarion Hotye (5-46) did all he could for CYMS.
GORILLAS EYE BACK-TO-BACK
Grand United rolled into a third straight VTCA grand final with a four-wicket win over West Newport at Parsons Reserve on Sunday. The Gorillas are chasing back-to-back titles after winning the Division 3 pennant last season and will face Altona Roosters in the Division 2 decider. Barbadian gun Leniko Boucher was the hero with a match-winning century, scoring 109 from 111 balls to lift this side over the line. Tharanga Fernando’s undefeated 125 in the first innings guided West Newport to a competitive 7-242 declared but it wasn’t enough. Boucher hit 11 boundaries and a six but fell 28 runs short of victory. Sam Crea (17 not out) and Ben Doll (21 not out) then saw the home side home. Crea had earlier taken 3-59 to be Grand’s leading bowler, along with Oliver Davidson (3-54). West skipper Trent Jones stood up with the ball, claiming 2-27, while Jakob Wojcik snared 2-55.
IMPERIALS PREVAIL IN A THRILLER
Williamstown Imperials claimed an outright win against Point Cook to move into the Division 3 grand final. After Point Cook was all out for 104 in its first innings, which included a special catch from Chris Kidd, Imps claimed a 10-run lead after their response. The Warriors then reached 8-107 before declaring but the home side comfortably won by six wickets. Captain Andrew Hendry finished unbeaten on 38.
FERNANDO’S LIONS BRILLIANCE
Shasheen Fernando will look to carry his semi-final form into next week’s grand final after lifting Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s to victory. Fernando hit an unbeaten 98 off 151 to guide his side across the line against Caroline Springs by four wickets. The Lions had restricted the home side to 9-242 with three wickets each from Anthony De Zilva and Jason McGann before Fernando’s brilliance.
TOP-TWO TO FACE OFF IN DIVISION 4
There were no shocks in the Division 4 semis as Moonee Valley and Gellibrand beat Roxburgh Park and Point Cook Centrals respectively. Gellibrand held on for a thrilling one-wicket win behind half-centuries to Jason Hibbert and Jacob Macdonald. Mooney Valley eased to a seven-wicket win as Luca Nimorakiotakis took 4-32 to help have Roxy all out for 143 before a comfortable run chase. Brayden McGregor (75 off 176) laid the platform for the minor premier.
STUNNING UPSETS UNDERPIN DIVISION FIVE
In a remarkable weekend of results, it will be third against fourth in the Division 5 decider. Seabrook stunned Burnside Springs United by 13 runs behind captain Daniel Kilfoy’s 5-460 and Amila Mendis’ 4-28 after they posted 181. Lower order run were critical for Seabrook.
In the other semi, Sunshine YCW shocked minor premier Donnybrook by two wickets. Donnybrook posted 162 behind Mohan Singh’s half-century on day one. But YCW did enough as Jakob O’Neill led the way with a 50 of his own. It’s the first time since 2001-02 YCW will have their First and Second XIs playing in grand finals on the same weekend.
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