All the key talking points from the latest VTCA action

A monster century on debut, a recruit’s all-round match winning display and breakthrough wins were all highlights from the latest round of VTCA action. Here’s what you need to know.

Leniko Boucher scored a century for Grand United.

The halfway mark of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association season is officially here.

In the final round of action before the Christmas break, there were a series of big performances.

Here’s what you need to know.

A DEBUT TO REMEMBER

Feroze Khushi is going to be some player for Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows. In his first game for his new club after crossing from Seddon, Khushi made an immediate impression on Division 4 with a resounding 166 in his side’s massive win over St Andrew’s Footscray. His innings at Pennell Reserve included 15 boundaries and five 6s. He helped guide the visitors to 4-272 before the home side was rolled for just 85. Shahid Ahmed led the way with 4-13 as Shoaib Butta finished with 3-2.

LIONS ON TOP

Deer Park heads into the Christmas break on top of the VTCA Senior Division ladder after a strong 51-run win over Druids at John McLeod Reserve. Star opener Hashan Wanasekera smashed 66 from 77 balls, while Mohammed Alfar added 42 as the Lions posted 7-206 after being sent in. Daniel Sartori (10) and Dean Russ (eight) both failed. Jarrod Parsons was Druids’ best with the ball, claiming 4-36. In reply, the visitors never challenged, falling to 2-12 and were 7-92 before Charith Mendis and Jared Andrews put on a 63-run eighth-wicket partnership. Mendis played a lone hand, scoring 56, before falling to Ricky Suvada (3-14) who took three wickets in four balls to wrap up the victory. Druids all out 155.

CLUBBERS SURVIVE SCARE

Cellar-dweller Craigieburn gave reigning premier Yarraville Club an almighty scare on Saturday before falling 10 runs short of a stunning upset at DS Aitken Reserve. Clubbers will be thankful for Nandhalal Sangaran and Michael Hill’s rescue mission. The pair scored 52 not out and 46 respectively to help their team post a defendable 6-174. Craigieburn were then in the box seat at 1-96 and then 3-134 before collapsing terribly. The Eagles lost their last six wickets for 29 runs. Kevin Spaull (44), Adam Davies (27) and Manpreet Singh Mahla (41) had gotten their visitors off to a strong start but their teammates couldn’t maintain the rage, finishing 9-164, as Nathan Johnson (2-37) and Ash Sweet (3-28) did the damage for Clubbers.

Tom Burton has been a sensational recruit for Williamstown Imperials.

BURTON DOES IT ALL FOR IMPS

Williamstown Imperials escaped with an eight-run win over Sunshine Heights on Saturday and it has Tom Burton to thank — although he can probably consider himself a little unlucky. With the bat he scored 98 runs off 91 deliveries to cruelly be denied a century when he was dismissed by Harshveer Parmar. Imps eventually made 8-208 from their 40 overs. Burton then led the way with the ball taking 4-25 from his eight overs, as Teriq Worrell took 3-53, to have the visitors all out for 200 with just four balls remaining. Burton is new to the club this season after crossing from Mazenod in the Eastern Cricket Association.

FOOTSCRAY UNITED ON THE BOARD

Footscray United has its first win of the season after powering to a comfortable win over Doutta Stars on Saturday. Shoury Eerla led the way with the ball taking 5-28 as the Bulldogs rolled the home side for just 108. In the run chase, James Deasy was in no mood to hang around as he finished unbeaten on 65 runs from 84 balls.

ABERS WIN THRILLER

What a way to go into the Christmas break for Aberfeldie, holding off St Albans to claim a nail-biting six-run victory at Kings Park. After winning the toss and batting, captain-coach Tallan Wright made a fighting 65 not out from 101 balls as wickets fell around him. Kieren Gray scored 31 as the visitors posted 6-154 from their 40 overs. Arosh Gamage (2-26) and Ashen Abeykoon (2-26) were the Saints’ best with the ball. In reply, St Albans lost competition-leading run-scorer Nils Priestly for 19 as Tom Godsell (3-27) skittled the top order. Abeykoon (40) launched a rescue mission but couldn’t find enough support. St Albans falling agonisingly short, 8-148 from its 40 overs.

BOUCHER TON, DAVIDSON 5-FA UPSTAGE REP GUN

Grand United is sitting pretty on top of the Division 2 ladder at the Christmas break after a 22-run win over Altona Roosters at Langshaw Reserve. The club celebrated Sam Crea’s call up to the VTCA representative team during the week but it was Leniko Boucher and Ollie Davidson that stole the show on Saturday. Boucher smashed an impressive century, finishing unbeaten on 108 from 118 balls – hitting eight boundaries and three sixes. It saw United post 5-186. Davidson then took 5-33 to be the main destroyer with the ball. Hashan James claimed 3-23 and Crea bagged 2-27 to take his season tally to a competition-leading 17. Nadeera Thuppahi top-scored with 66 for Roosters but they were all out 144.