VTCA: Westmeadows stun Craigieburn following stunning collapse

Donovan Pell, who is “forever the optimist” admitted he is still trying to get his head around his team taking 3-1 to steal a one-run thriller in the VTCA.

Westmeadows captain-coach Donovan Pell has seen just about everything in cricket.

But nothing compares to his side’s win against Craigieburn on Saturday.

The Warriors kept their VTCA Senior Division season alive with a thrilling one-run win after one of the great death bowling performances.

Pell’s dismissal of Craigieburn opener Nathan Pappin sparked a major batting collapse which saw the home side lose their final five wickets for 16 runs, falling one short.

Jarryd Ellis and Jackson Smith combined to take 3-1 with Craigieburn needing just two runs to win.

“It was one of the best wins I’ve been part of,” Pell said on Monday.

“I’m forever the optimist during a game but even I thought it was going to be difficult for us to come away with the win when they were under 20 away.

“Credit has to go to Jackson and Jarryd because they’ve been a real shining light for us this season.

“We knew Craigieburn had lost clumps of wickets in previous games so it was in the back of our minds a couple of wickets could swing the game back in our favour.”

Rhys Gleisner played a crucial innings for Westmeadows.Photo: George Sal.

Earlier, Westmeadows “limped” to 8-156 from its 40 overs with some late order hitting from Smith (25 runs off 42 balls) and Rhys Gleisner (22 runs off 17 deliveries) providing a much needed spark.

Tarek Moughanie top scored with 31 off 50 before he was run out.

“Those runs were critical for us and I told the boys we were in with a massive shout with the score we put on the board,” Pell said.

“It was important for us to be able to bat first again for the third straight game.

“I don’t think we won a toss before Christmas and being able to set a target for the opposition has been a better foundation for us to build our game on.

“Winning the toss has a massive impact in local cricket.”

Westmeadows now sit one-and-half games behind fourth place Druids, who it beat a week earlier.

The Warriors will next face Keilor as they aim to make it three straight wins against higher ranked opposition.

Pell said he hoped the rising confidence of his bowling group would flow onto the batters.

“Saturday’s win really does push the belief even further,” Pell said.

“We’ve only had three scores over 50 this year and if we can start to find some form with the bat it’s only going to increase our chances of playing finals.

“Before the Druids game, we said our goal was to win three out of four games in the next month and being two from two is the perfect start.”

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