Relief and devastation highlight final round of VTCA season

Relief, devastation and arguably the closest ladder in the competition’s history highlighted the final round of VTCA action as the finals and relegation battles were finalised. Here’s what happened.

Sydenham Hillside have plenty of reason to celebrate. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

The finish to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association was a rollercoaster.

In the race for finals and to avoid relegation, there was plenty of drama throughout Saturday’s action.

In the VTCA, ladder positions are determined by quotient (runs per wicket divided by wickets per run conceded).

Here’s how the weekend played out.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A CLOSER FINISH?

You could have been forgiven if you were a little stressed watching the end of the Division 1 season. All of the top-four finished on 48 points with Airport West St Christopher’s was the minor premier, despite losing in the final round, due to having the best quotient. In the final round, Haig Fawkner and St Francis de Sales played out a thriller. Haig won by six runs, claiming the last wicket with just two balls remaining as late order hitting from Matt Costello and Matt Lewis threatened to get their side over the line. The visitors managed to defend their 9-189 as captain Thilakamuni Soysa top scored with 48.

The result saw Haig move into second as Sunshine went down to Footscray United and earn a home final. In the process, St Francis de Sales’ season was ended as they couldn’t capitalise on Seddon’s win over PEGS. A win would have seen the home side move into the top-four. Remarkably, PEGS had the best quotient of any side in the competition and still missed the finals series.

ST ALBANS STUNNER NOT ENOUGH

The Saints produced arguably the upset of the season, knocking off ladder-leader Deer Park by six wickets, but it wasn’t enough to play finals. Star opener Nils Priestly rediscovered his early-season form, smashing 103 from 128 to inspire St Albans home with three balls remaining. Priestly was out with just two runs required for victory, leaving Arosh Gamage (three not out) to finish the job. Earlier, Deer Park posted 8-195 from its 40 overs after being sent in. Captain Dean Russ led the way with 63, playing a lone hand for the Lions. Ashen Abeykoon was the Saints’ best with the ball, collecting 3-50. Despite the loss, it’s second in a row, Deer Park finishes on top of the VTCA Senior Division ladder and will face Aberfeldie in a semi-final. Priestly finished second on the competition run-scoring list with 526 at an average of 43.

WESTMEADOWS, KEILOR COME UP SHORT TOO

Like St Albans, Keilor and Westmeadows needed results to go their way and they didn’t - certainly not for Westmeadows. Needing to win and hope Aberfeldie lost to play finals, the Warriors were upset by a desperate Craigieburn. Keilor, meanwhile, did win but it’s nail-biting three-wicket win over Druids was in vain. Robert Clements (86) starred as the Blues chased down Druids’ 204 with just one ball to spare. Luke Delbridge (39) fell seven runs short of victory, leaving Matthew Gaskett (nine not out) to finish the job. Malith Cooray had earlier run through the Wizards, collecting 6-36 with an imposing spell.

STORM SENDS FINALS WARNING

Sydenham-Hillside is a very real chance to go back-to-back and be possibly the first club to win consecutive Division 1 and Senior Division premierships. The Storm were too good for flag rival Yarraville Club at Hillside Reserve on Saturday, snaring a three wicket win with one ball to spare. Michael Hill’s 81 helped Clubbers post 9-192. In reply, Ishan Peiris top-scored with 64 and skipper Anthony Alleyne added 50 to get their side within reach. After taking 2-29, Adrian Neill (14 not out) lifted the home team over the line with help from Alex Barlas (four not out). Shehan Wedikkara was the Storm’s best with the ball, snaring 3-33. The two teams will go at it again at Hillside Reserve on Saturday and Sunday for a spot in the grand final. Hill finished the season as the competition’s No.1 run-scorer, amassing 557 at an average of 50.64.

CRAIGIEBURN SURVIVES, DRUIDS GO DOWN

Craigieburn pulled off a stunning three-wicket upset win over Westmeadows at Willowbrook Reserve to save its season, jumping out of last place on the final day. Meanwhile, at Joe Brown Reserve, Druids fell agonisingly short of victory against Keilor – losing with one ball remaining – to seal relegation. It’s a remarkable escape for the Eagles, winless in their first eight matches before earning an outright win over Sunshine United. After a gallant 94 not out last week, Callan Tishler posted a second straight half-century, top-scoring with 50 as Craigieburn chased down Westmeadows’ 130 all out with 10 balls to spare. Charith Mendis was the Druids best, scoring 63 before taking 3-44, while Charith Perera top-scored with 67 as they ended the season in the worst possible way.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Despite losing to Grand United, Williamstown CYMS will play VTCA Division 2 finals after Newport-Digman and Greenvale Kanagroos failed to take advantage on Saturday. CYMS finished two points ahead of the Bulls, after it went down to Tullamarine by 52 runs, and Kangaroos, who lost to minor premier Altona Roosters by nine wickets. The Roosters will face CYMS, while Grand will tackle West Newport for a spot in the grand final and shot at promotion.

ROOSTERS WARM UP

Altona Roosters warmed up for finals with a dominant nine-wicket win over top-four aspirant Greenvale Kangaroos at Langshaw Reserve. After winning the toss and electing the bat, Greenvale were skittled for 136. Roosters then made light work of the chase, getting the job done in just 28.2 overs. Nadeera Thuppahi starred with an unbeaten 81, while Aiden Elkington (30) and Tharanga Indika (20 not out) were also important. Suresh Fernando and Leigh Lewis both took 3-19 to roll the Kangaroos.

KEILOR PARK GO OUT ON A HIGH

A 16-run win over Royal Park-Brunswick gave Keilor Park the perfect finish to the VTCA Division 2 season but couldn’t save the club from relegation. It was the Demons’ only win of the season. Dylan Gwynne scored a classy half-century, 54, to inspire Keilor Park to 163 all out after being sent in. Despite Dilan Weerasinghe’s 43, the Parkers couldn’t keep up in the chase, all out 147. Demons skipper Peter McMahon led the way with the ball, taking 3-31. Gus Larbey was Royal Park-Brunswick’s best, snaring 5-24.

SEDDON SAVES THEMSELVES, BAD NEWS FOR THE REDBACKS

Seddon was one of the form sides of the competition to end the Division 1 season and it proved pivotal. Winning their last two games, including victory over PEGS on Saturday, meant they maintained their status in the second tier. Had Seddon of dropped the last home-and-away game, it could have been a nervous wait after West Coburg St Andrews beat Altona North to give themselves a chance of survival. In the end it wasn’t enough with the newly merged team now confined to Division 2 in season 2024-25.

Point Cook qualified for the finals series after getting the better of Pascoe Vale Hadfield.

POINT COOK CLAIMS FINALS PLACE

In a game where the winner was guaranteed a finals place, it was Point Cook who came away with the points against Pascoe Vale Hadfield thanks to a 34-run win. Mayank Sharma’s half-century proved pivotal as Point Cook posted 163 before rolling the Panthers for 129. Harvinder Singh, Sharma and Vishay Ramchander all took two wickets.

Meanwhile, Sunshine Heights’ win over Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s saw the Lions slip into third place allowing Caroline Springs the opportunity to pounce and earn a home final.

HEARTBREAK FOR CENTRALS

It was a day of mixed feelings for Werribee Centrals to end the Division 3 season. They claimed their first win with a 55-run over Kingsville but were relegated in the process due to a inferior quotient of 0.09 to their opponents, who also won just one game for the campaign. Waqar Shah and Rakay Behram had put their side in a strong position with knocks of 45 and 41 respectively before a strong bowling performance pulled the home side across the line.

ROXBURGH PARK POUNCES

As Bellbridge went down to Point Cook Centrals by one-wicket, Roxburgh Park was making the most of its opportunity against Laverton. They were two results which saw the two sides swap positions as Bellbridge saw its campaign come to an end. Umair Farooq guided Roxburgh Park to victory with an unbeaten 49 while Sohaib Bhutta added 40 in the run chase.

JACANA THE FINALS SHAPER

From a distance, Sunshine YCW was cheering on Jacana in its clash with Williamstown Congs — and it worked. Jacana stunned the Congs in a one-wicket thriller to open the door for YCW to qualify for finals. Taking on Melton Centrals, YCW upheld their end of the bargain with a comfortable seven-wicket win. Usman Quddusi played a key role with his half-century.

SIDES CONFIRMED TO HAVE BEEN RELEGATED

Senior Division: Druids

Division 1: West Coburg St Andrews

Division 2: Keilor Park

Division 3: Werribee Centrals

Division 4: St Andrew’s Footscray