VSDCA 2018-19: St Bernard’s claims maiden finals berth after victory over Bayswater
Arosh Janoda produced an innings for the ages, clubbing St Bernard’s to a maiden VSDCA finals appearance with a 94-ball century against Bayswater on Saturday.
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Arosh Janoda produced an innings for the ages, clubbing St Bernard’s to a maiden VSDCA finals appearance with a 94-ball century against Bayswater on Saturday.
The Snowdogs snatched sixth spot from Box Hill in the last overs of the regular season as they reeled in 7-227 with two wickets and seven balls to spare.
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Thrown in at No. 3, Sri Lankan all-rounder Janoda was the hero, launching eight sixes and 10 boundaries in a knock of 122.
“How hard he hits the ball, it’s just phenomenal,” skipper Luke Davis said.
“He played a really good innings in terms of tempo. He mixed it up with ones.
“Sometimes he can just look for the boundary ball a bit too often but he was super in the way he guided partnerships with other guys.”
There was a slight wobble when Janoda was the seventh man out with 22 runs still required, but tailenders Steve Brne (19 not out from 22) and Chris Davis (4 not out) hauled their side to a history-making triumph.
Luke Davis, who was due to bat at No. 11, said the Snowdogs maintained faith during the matchwinning ninth-wicket stand.
“Both of them can find the boundary and they are both very experienced cricketers who have been in a lot of those situations as well,” he said.
“Steve hit a six and a couple of fours to break the game open there towards the end and ease that pressure.”
From nine points outside the top six with two rounds remaining, St Bernard’s capitalised on consecutive losses from Box Hill with victories over Balwyn and Bayswater to finish sixth.
The Snowdogs will face minor premier Brunswick away in their first VSDCA final, an almighty task but one Davis is confident is not beyond his side.
“They have been the hot team, but we are confident,” he said.
“There’s no real pressure on us. A great achievement to make it as a new team coming into the comp.
“There’s nothing to really lose, we get a free crack at it.”
Brunswick accounted for St Bernard’s by three wickets when they met in a one-day fixture in December.
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