All the latest talking points from the VTCA
The latest weekend of VTCA action may be remembered as the most important come the end of the home-and-away season. Here’s all the key talking points.
North West
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It might be one of the all-time great turnarounds in local cricket.
A fortnight ago, Craigieburn suffered a humbling outright defeat to Sydenham-Hillside but on Saturday celebrated a stunning bounce back outright victory of their own against Sunshine United.
The Eagles claimed a five-wicket win at Victor Foster Reserve, chasing down 124 for victory.
Having skittled United for 64 on day one of the match, Craigieburn took a 19-run lead at stumps - the club’s first points of the season, snapping a six-game losing streak.
After declaring, the hosts rolled the Tigers for 143 thanks to skipper Josh Eaton’s 4-46 and Chameera Perera’s 3-37.
Manpreet Mahla (33), Kevin Spaull (26), Sam Laffan (24), Adam Davies (21) and coach Nathan Pappin (18 not out) steered the Eagles home.
With an invaluable 10 points secured, Craigieburn also jumps off the bottom of the VTCA Senior Division ladder in the fight to avoid relegation.
Perera finished the match with eight wickets after 5-14 in the first innings and Eaton claimed seven in total.
Sunshine United’s David Worthington scored the only half-century of the match with a fighting 51 in the second innings.
SWEET STILL GOT IT
Evergreen Yarraville Club paceman Ash Sweet showcased all his skill and class to bowl his team to victory on Saturday. Chasing 193, Druids were never in the hunt as Sweet ripped through the top-order. The premiership quick removed three of the Wizards’ top-four batters - including two for a duck - to have the visitors 4-14. He then returned to pick up the key wicket of Charith Mendis (33) and finished with 5-41. Jarrod Parsons - Senior Division’s second leading wicket-taker- was Druids’ best with the bat, scoring 44, as they were dismissed for 137.
PADWAL DENIED TON IN BIG WIN
West Newport confirmed their VTCA Division 2 premiership contender status with a comfortable five-wicket win over Williamstown CYMS. However, star bat Amit Padwal was denied a deserved century, falling for 96. His 130-ball knock included 13 boundaries. James Usher (36) and skipper Trent Jones (26) provided solid support as West was finally dismissed for 224. CYMS’s Ismail Baharami toiled hard for his 4-48. CYMS had posted 153 on day one of the match and the loss puts the club’s top-four hopes on a knife’s edge, two points behind Tullamarine and Greenvale Kangaroos in fourth and fifth.
ROOSTERS PREVAIL IN FINALS ENTREE
Altona Roosters got an early taste of finals cricket, claiming a three-wicket win over top-four rival Tullamarine. A Harry Meehan half-century had led Tulla to 216 all out on day one of the match. However, Roosters got the runs in five overs less at Langshaw Reserve. Tharanga Indika top-scored with a well-made 60, while Suresh Fernando backed up his 3-53 with 42 at the top of the order and Chris Peters was the finisher, scoring 44 not out. Meehan (2-59) and Thameera Mudiyanselage (2-42) were Tullamarine’s best with the ball.
IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT ALTONA NORTH
With three rounds to play, Altona North is still two games outside the top-four but they’re coming quickly. On Saturday, they recorded a 24-run win over Seddon to keep its slim hopes alive. After reaching 223 on day one, Connor Smith put his side on his back with 4-56 to will North across the line. They now remain two games behind PEGS in fourth place but do have a better run rate ahead of games with Sunshine, PEGS and West Coburg St Andrews.
KUMAR’S MONSTER PERFORMANCE
Point Cook’s Krishan Kumar tormented East Keilor with the bat last week, scoring 123 not out. This weekend he did it with the ball. He tore through the hosts’ batting line-up with 5-65 to lead the Warriors to a 46-run win at the weekend. It was important performance as Point Cook kept touch with the top-four.
YCW CLAIM FINALS LIKE CLASH
Sunshine YCW has moved into the Russell Pollock Shield top-four after securing a critical win over Barkly Street Uniting. Heshan Umendra scored an unbeaten 102 runs off 101 balls to guide his side to the points over the team they replaced in the finals positions. Despite falling to 3-25, Umendra’s arrival at the crease proved to be the turning point in the contest.
SHARKS IN POLE POSITION FOR FINALS
Point Cook Centrals moved into fourth spot on the Division 4 ladder with a thrilling one-wicket win over Footscray Angliss. In a tight ladder, the Sharks are now in pole position to play finals. Tyson Pearce (46 off 107) and James Garnham (35no off 49) proved critical in the run chase. Jason Wozniak impressed with the ball taking 6-44.
DAY ONE WRAP
Monster scores and wonderful bowling performances were just the start of the latest VTCA action.
Many games are set up for grandstand finishes in the second week of the latest round.
Here’s what you need to know.
BARTON TON LIFTS ABERS
Aberfeldie is well placed in its two-day clash against undefeated VTCA Senior Division ladder-leader Deer Park. That is largely thanks to opener Anthony Barton’s dominant century on day one at John McLeod Reserve. Barton smashed 137 from 213 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and a six. It was a critical knock with fellow opener Cameron West the next high-scorer on 38, while Charlie Thurston added 25. Barton has three 50s to his name so far this season but finally broke through for a dashing ton. Deer Park’s attack was led by Fawad Malook (3-34) and West Indian import Keon Harding (3-72). The Lions will look to keep their unblemished record in tact with a big run chase on Saturday.
STORM DROP OFF
A week after securing an outright victory, Sydenham-Hillside is facing a tough fight to stop St Albans at Kings Park. After electing to bat, the Storm was dismissed for 129 with only Ishan Peiris providing any resistance, scoring 50. Shanaka Silva (3-17) and Akila Isanka (3-23) did the damage for St Albans. At stumps, the Saints were 3-60 in reply, needing only another 69 for victory. However, competition-leading run-scorer Nils Priestley is already back in the sheds, out for 13. Silva (15 not out) and Lihan Dulshan (zero not out) will resume the chase on Saturday.
CRAIGIEBURN BOUNCE BACK
A week after suffering an outright loss, Craigieburn is chasing the ultimate redemption. The Eagles, winless at the bottom of the VTCA Senior Division ladder, secured first innings points for the first time this season on Saturday, chasing down Sunshine United’s 64 all out. The Eagles then reached stumps on day one 8-83. Chameera Perera starred with the ball, finishing with 5-14, while skipper Josh Eaton snagged 3-25. Kevin Spaull was then the hero with the bat, posting a match-high 41.
DRUIDS KEEP CLUBBERS IN CHECK
A 4-28 from Andy Brennan and 3-50 from Jarrod Parsons has given Druids a sniff of a major upset. The Wizards dimissed the reigning premier for 193 at Shorten Reserve on Saturday. It could have been far less for the visitors too if not for timely knocks from Halwathurage Jayasinghe (72) and Michael Hill (55). Hill and Jayasinghe both sit inside the top-10 run-scorers in the competition this season with 289 and 263 runs respectively, while Parsons is second on the wicket-taking charts with 18 scalps.
DOUTTAS EYEING PEGS UPSET
PEGS are in the finals race and Doutta Stars are in the relegation battle but it’s the latter in pole position after day one. Harrison Quail and Mitch Hughes took three wickets apiece to help have PEGS all out for 174. In response they reached 1-59 at stumps with Ben Speake unbeaten on 25.
MCCALLUM TEARS THROUGH SUNSHINE HEIGHTS
Gavin McCallum was in brilliant form for Caroline Springs as the Roy Picone ladder leader closed in on first innings points against Sunshine Heights. He finished with figures of 6-43 as the visitors were bowled out for 126. In response, the Falcons reached 2-111 at stumps with captain Shiran Rajakaruna unbeaten on 86 off 69.
KHUSHI HAS A FIELD DAY
Feroze Khushi enjoyed some sort of performance for Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows on Saturday. He powered his way to an unbeaten 250 not out including 29 boundaries and eight 6s are his side posted 1-384 before declaring. It was the third time he has reached triple figures this season after making a mid-season move from Seddon. In response, Bellbridge was 1-17 at stumps after Shahid Ahmed picked up a wicket.
CAN MELTON CENTRALS FINALLY BREAK THROUGH?
Melton Centrals haven’t tasted victory this season but they’d like their chances on day two against Jacana. After being bowled out for 139 led by Steve Robertson’s 34, Centrals had Jacana 2-8 at stumps. Mitch Roshier took both wickets before the close of play.
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