VSDCA: Noble Park takes last-ball thriller over Plenty Valley

Max Heffernan hit the winning run - and then went on a 200m dash - as Noble Park clinched an exciting run-chase victory.

Max Heffernan, 16, hit the winning run for Noble Park.

It was quite a win for Noble Park.

And it was quite a celebration from 16-year-old Max Heffernan.

Scores were level in the VSDCA match between the Parkers and Plenty Valley last Saturday when Heffernan faced up to the last ball.

The Bats had brought the field up.

But Heffernan got the ball past short cover for the winning run and the Parkers had chased down 9-230, squeaking in at 8-231 to take their fifth win of 2021-22.

Noble president Craig Ortland said Heffernan bolted off like Shane Warne after the great leg-spinner captured his 700th wicket at the MCG.

“It was an amazing scene, fantastic,’’ he said.

“Max was so excited.

“He had a bit of a groin injury but you wouldn’t have thought so. It’s the quickest he’s run all year! He got to the non-striker’s end and kept running, threw the bat in the air, threw the helmet and ran about 200m. It was really good.’’

Ton man: Noble Park batsman Jeevan Mendis. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Former Sydney Sixers player Jeevan Mendis had a dazzling match, taking four wickets with his leg-spin and then spanking 123 off 120 balls, with 4 sixes and 13 fours.

“One of the better wins we’ve had,’’ Ortland said.

“To chase down 230, that’s a very good effort.’’

The Parkers were 3-24 and had lost star performer Janaka Liyanabadalge. But the experienced Mendis played a superb hand, receiving support through the middle from Kolitha Weerasekera (24) and Robbie Ewing (34no off 57 balls).

Seventeen-year-old Neil D’Souza slapped 14 off 12 balls, including a six, late in the innings.

“He smashed the ball to all parts of the ground,’’ Ortland said of Mendis.

“He played some beautiful, classic shots, cleared the boundary easily, hit the ball very hard. Good running between the wickets too.’’

Ortland said the club was keen to keep Mendis for next season.

A leg-spinner and left-hand batsman, he made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka in 2010 and went on to play 58 matches, as well as 22 Twenty20 internationals.

At first-class level Mendis had 164 matches, scoring 7883 runs at 35.83, with 21 centuries and a highest score of 206.

He also took 365 wickets at 27.56, with a best return of 9-53.

There was also a stint with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League of 02.

Ortland said Noble Park was pleased with the performances of its teenage players this season, including Josh Crozier (288 runs and 19 wickets), D’Souza, Heffernan and Jasper Speas.

And Kunj Desai, right-arm medium, and Kirtan Patel, left-arm orthodox, have performed well in the seconds.

Both are 17. Desai has also been handy with the bat, hitting almost 200 runs.

In another positive, the Under 14, 16s and 18s will all play in the finals.