VTCA ladder-leaders extend their leads with a number of strong performances

Big centuries and red-hot bowling saw each ladder-leader across the VTCA divisions post critical wins to extend their leads at the top.

It was a big weekend for ladder-leaders as two-day cricket returned to the VTCA.

Haig Fawkner, Sydenham-Hillside, Footscray United, East Keilor, Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Park St Marys and East Coburg all extended their leads at the top of the table.

In the Senior Division top-of-the-table clash, the reigning premier claimed a thrilling one-wicket win over Aberfeldie at Mutton Reserve.

Samuel Kosmak (33 not out) guided his team home after Viraj Lakshitha (76) had earlier batted Haig into a strong position.

While in Division 1, Sydenham-Hillside put on a batting masterclass against Altona North as grand final hero Gayashan Weerasekara scored a maiden century.

Sydenham-Hillside centurion Gayashan Weerasekara. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Weerasekara smashed 168 – almost double his previous high score for the Storm – from 181 balls and included 31 boundaries and a six.

The star bat combined with Ishan Peiris (68) in a 160-run third-wicket partnership as Sydenham-Hillside batted out the day, finishing 8-362.

Altona North were dismissed for 199 in the first innings the previous week but had no answer with the ball.

Storm coach Geoff Pretty was in awe of a “super impressive” Weerasekara and said it was a good opportunity for his batters to find form in the middle after two seasons of one-day matches.

“He came in when it was tough to bat and managed to get through a difficult period,” Pretty said.

“He defended the bad balls and scored off the balls he thought he could get some runs off. You have to bat well to score 166.

“We haven’t played two-day cricket for two-and-a-half years so guys need to be preparing for longer innings.

“Some of them haven’t had much of an opportunity in one-day games so this was the perfect opportunity to give them a chance.”

Footscray United paceman Ashen Abeykoon. Picture: Andy Brownbill

In Division 2, Footscray United survived a scare against finals rival St Andrews Pascoe Vale at Scovell Reserve.

The Bulldogs were skittled for just 96 in the first innings but responded with the ball, ripping through the visitors for just 60 runs.

Ashen Abeykoon was the pick of the United bowlers, finishing with 4-17 from 10 overs.

Lahiru Kumara posted an unbeaten 50 as the league-leader reached stumps at 6-129 in their second dig.

Division 3 leader East Keilor came within four wickets of an outright win against Sunshine Heights at Overland Reserve.

Amila Sandaruwan came agonisingly close to a deserved century, falling for 98, while Adrian Hallal added 76 as the Eagles posted 7-271.

Sunshine Heights were quickly dismissed for just 80 in response and asked to follow on.

An innings defeat loomed large when the visitors slumped to 5-18 as Indika Gallage (4-10) ran rampant.

However, Neil Hariman and Luke Simpson steadied the ship and Heights reached stumps at 6-54.

Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s remain locked at the top of Division 4.

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Valley (6-296) were too strong for Williamstown Colts thanks to Samuel Younghusband’s unbeaten 107 and Luke Brock’s 4-29.

Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s (8-229) secured a first innings win over Roxburgh Park (151 and 9-155).

Cameron Sturrock finished with seven wickets for the match, while Daniel Umbers snared six and Rukshan Fernando top-scored with 79.

Finally, East Coburg (6-260) outclassed Donnybrook (157 and 6-79) on the back of Madushan Ravichandrakumar’s 88 with the bat and Satheesh Sivakumaran Fernandu and Poharjan Rajenthiran’s five wickets with the ball.