VSDCA wrap: Elsternwick’s plan to fire up in finals, Brighton great reaches new heights
Elsternwick skipper LJ Edwards explains his side’s form wobbles, a Subbies great cracked his 23rd ton, Malvern pulled off a stunning win and a Caulfield all-rounder went big.
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Elsternwick captain Lincoln Edwards says the Eels’ wobble heading into finals is due to “a bit of disruption” to the side’s make-up.
The Eels have fallen from top spot of the south-east table after dropping the last three matches of the home-and-away season.
Edwards – who himself is sidelined for another week with a broken thumb – is among the many changes to the Eels in recent weeks.
“I think it’s just been a bit of disruption to the team, we’ve had blokes get injured, blokes have to go home,” he said.
“We haven’t been distracted but some unforeseen circumstances have come our way, Das (Opanayaka) was injured, I’ve broken my thumb, Ollie Birts has gone home.
“I think it’s been inconsistency in terms of our set up whereas at the start we had the same team all the way through.
“I think the change in our set up has led to some inconsistency in our performances.”
After posting 7-372 in its last win against Bayswater, the Eels have only set 133, 156 and 86 in their past three innings.
Edwards said Elsternwick would draw upon that quiet period with the bat as a positive ahead of this week’s semi final.
“I think the positive that we will take out is with the bat we haven’t really had anyone fire in the last few rounds,” he said.
“We have the talent to do it and once it clicks we should be very competitive.
“We’ve been happy with the bowling and our fielding, so I think it’ll be a focus on guys stepping up with the bat this finals series.”
Edwards credited Ormond for the way the Monders played their home track but was confident the Eels would bounce back this weekend.
“I think we should match up a bit better this week.”
Elsternwick was shot out for 86 by Ormond in the last round of the season on Saturday. Opener Finn Usher top scored with 16 as the Eels’ innings expired in the 38th over. Ormond paceman Bailey Moon captured 4-12 off 8 overs and Nick Oaten nabbed 3-17. In reply, Ormond coasted to 3-90 in 29.2 overs, with Rory Freeman making 38 and James Robertshaw an unbeaten 29 off 30 balls.
Finals fever is set to grip both Elsternwick and Ormond, with both clubs having all four sides make end of season action — and the clubs play each other in all four grades, enhancing their rivalry.
In other last round results:
*Brighton champion Ricky Damiano scored his 23rd century in Sub-District ranks when he blasted 148 off 105 balls to set up the Tonners’ win over Moorabbin. He hit 23 fours and 1 six — a savage pull shot — after walking to the crease with Brighton wobbling at 2-10. Damiano got his innings going with several powerful square cuts and later manoeuvred the field with clever lap sweeps. He and Glen Parker (85) put on a 218-run partnership for the third wicket as Brighton sped to 5-308 off its 45 overs. Jason Soames cracked 40 off 31 balls at the end. In reply, Moorabbin was dismissed for 153, with Soames (3-22) and Darcy Kennelly (3-38) doing the damage.
*Croydon paceman Chris Brown grabbed 3-30 to rip through the Box Hill top order, which slumped to 5-40. Tom McQuinn (2-20), skipper Jack Conroy (2-23) and Riley Paterson (2-22) also bowled well as Box Hill was shot out for 118. In reply, Croydon coasted to victory, finishing 2-121 off 33.3 overs, with opener Paterson cracking 43 off 59 balls and Steve Wright (32no) and Mitchell Brooker (24no) looking assured.
*Malvern finished its season with a stirring two-wicket win over Oakleigh. After Oakleigh put up 9-231, with Oaks skipper Ryan Pearson making 90 off 97 balls, Malvern mounted a superb run chase, achieving victory with a ball to spare. Opener Will Beattie got the Roosters going with a crisp 87 off 97 balls (with 10 fours and 4 sixes) at the top before tail-enders Sam Huitema (31no) and Michael McKenna (15no) steered the side home with an unconquered 48-run partnership after coming together at 8-184.
*Balwyn finished in seventh spot after beating Endeavour Hills. Balwyn skipper Lachlan Fitzpatrick (3-33) and Dom Greene (3-26) combined to dismiss Endeavour Hills for 151 before Kane Heathcote (43) and Adi Narayana (43) fired with the bat as Balwyn replied with 8-155.
*Caulfield all-rounder Andrew King starred with bat and ball in the Fielders’ 36-run win over Noble Park. He cracked 34 not out off 19 balls (3 fours, 1 six) in his side’s 8-175 and then captured 5-27 off nine overs to help restrict the visitors to 8-139. With the bat, King shared a vital, unconquered 50-run partnership with Lucas Agar (26no).
*Bayswater opener Brodie Richardson blasted 46 off 27 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes) in his side’s win over Port Melbourne. Earlier, Lachlan Payne (3-12) and Zac Hayes (3-10) impressed with the ball.
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