VSDCA 2018-19: Ormond back in finals mix after victory over Moorabbin
Ormond snapped a run of four consecutive losses to put itself back in the mix for a VSDCA finals berth on Saturday, defeating Moorabbin by 16 runs.
South East
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Ormond snapped a run of four consecutive losses to put itself back in the mix for a VSDCA finals berth on Saturday, defeating Moorabbin by 16 runs.
The Monders climbed to eighth on the South West Group table after defending 176 and are within three points of sixth-placed Melton.
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Tom Buchanan (3-32), Luke Heath (2-22) and Rodney Bird (2-16) were the heroes for Ormond with the ball after the Binners reached 3-105 and were eyeing an upset win at EE Gunn Reserve.
But Buchanan claimed the key scalp of Vishva Wijeratne (63), sparking a collapse of 7-55 as the visitors were dismissed for 160 after 43.1 overs.
“We haven’t had a win in about two months, so it puts us back in the mix,” Monders captain James Wild said.
Two early wickets from Rahul Rajeshbabu (3-38) had Ormond reeling at 2-1 after Wild won the toss and elected to bat.
A 69-run partnership between Luke Rainone (30) and topscorer Wild (57) put their side’s innings back on track, before the skipper and Gihan Perera (32) took the score to 3-121.
Ormond put its chances of victory in jeopardy when it lost 6-23 before a decisive last-wicket partnership of 32 between Grant Chessari (27) and Murray Ring (5 not out) enabled the home side to post a competitive total.
Wild said the current top four — Cauflield, Oakleigh, Werribee and Williamstown — appeared likely finalists, but the remaining top-six spots were up for grabs.
“We know that if we get ourselves in the mix, I don’t think many sides would want to come up against us,” he said. “Hopefully we can get on a roll. We had some disappointing losses before Christmas, but hopefully our season started (on Saturday).
“Every game is a final for us.”
The Monders tackle seventh-placed Elsternwick in a crucial Round 10 fixture, which starts on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Caulfield (2-130) disposed of Yarraville (129) with ease, Graeme Rummans (49 not out and 2-12) powering the Fielders to their eighth win of the summer.
And, a half-century from captain Cam Christiansen lifted Elsternwick (8-204) to a two-wicket win over Melton (8-203).
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