VSDCA 2018-19: Brunswick closes on North-East finals after hard-fought win over Kew
Brunswick is on the cusp of clinching a VSDCA top-six berth and could earn hosting rights to a final after a four-wicket win over Kew on Saturday.
North West
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Brunswick is on the cusp of clinching a VSDCA top-six berth and could earn hosting rights to a final after a four-wicket win over Kew on Saturday.
The Wicks are fifth on the North-East group ladder, equal with Plenty Valley, Noble Park and Box Hill on 42 points.
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They are also nine points clear of seventh-placed St Bernard’s, ensuring a win against either Endeavour Hills or Mt Waverley will secure their finals spot.
“It’s a great competition to be a part of. Every week if you don’t turn up you are going to be put to task and it’s no different to the next couple of weeks for us,” captain-coach Liam Murphy said.
“There’s an opportunity for us to progress and move through the positions if we’re able to put the same level of effort in over the next three weeks.”
The Wicks drew level with Noble Park and Plenty Valley are both suffered close losses in Round 11, to Box Hill and Balwyn respectively.
Murphy (58), Ben Moss (52) and Muhammad Shakeel (50) scored half-centuries against Kew, while Scott Sanders hammered 45 from 32 balls as Brunswick reeled in Kew’s 9-251 in 67.1 overs.
“We had a bit of a blueprint in the way that Kew went about it and we did talk about that during the week,” Murphy said.
“Chris (Weeks) and Rohan (Wight) were able to bat over 100 balls and at times were going really conservatively with their shot selection.
“At the end of the day, they were able to really accelerate and that was the blueprint for us to go about our chase.
“We used that to drive us with a focus.”
Murphy said experienced all-rounder David McKay, who missed the fixture with a knee injury, was unlikely to be risked in the remaining regular-season matches.
“It really depends on how he’s going,” he said.
“I’m really mindful of the fact he’s got to be right to play.
“He is a very important part of the (team), but he’s someone that can be allowed time to rest and recover so he’s 100 per cent.
“We’re in a position where we can accommodate that.”
The result is all but certain to condemn Kew to being spectators throughout the finals series.
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