DDCA Twenty20: St Brigids St Louis stuns Buckley Ridges in semi-final

Turf 2 club St Brigids St Louis has defied the odds and strong competition to reach the grand final of the DDCA Twenty20 tournament.

They’re the Saints. But for now they be can be called the Giant Killers.

St Brigids St Louis’ rousing run in the DDCA’s Twenty20 competition continued when it toppled powerhouse Buckley Ridges in a thrilling semi-final at Park Oval.

It lifted the Saints into the final, where they’ll meet the winner of the Berwick and North Dandenong semi.

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Whoever they play, the match-up will be between a Turf 1 club and the Turf 2 Saints.

Buckley Ridges set their visitors 7-194 last Wednesday night and St Brigids St Louis answered with 7-195 thanks to a century from Vaib Deshpande.

His 104 included 14 fours and 4 sixes, and was the constant of the innings.

The Saints were 3-11, then 5-57 and 6-100.

Vaib Deshpande and Mark Jamieson walk out to open the innings.

But Deshpande gained crucial support from Matthew Hayes, who cracked 2 fours and 3 sixes in his 41 not out.

He and Pat Jamieson (2no) were at the creases for the winning runs, Deshpande having been caught just after raising his brilliant century and just before the target had been overhauled.

Jamieson had been the best of the bowlers with 3-16 off three overs.

Buckley’s champion South African batsman David White muscled 34 off 15 balls before drilling a drive and being well caught by Jeremy Heys at mid-off.

Given White’s remarkable form this season, it was a pivotal moment of the match.

Buckley still put up a hefty target on the small ground, but it would have been greater if White had carried on for a few more overs.

The DDCA Twenty20 final will be played at Shepley Oval on Wednesday, February 20.

Sponsored by The Dandenong Club, the tournament carries prizemoney of $1000 and a trophy for first and $700 for second.