Altona Roosters claim VTCA Division 2 McNamara Shield in thrilling grand final
Altona Roosters are flying back up the VTCA ladder after claiming the Division 2 title, Dishnaka Ariyarathna and Nadeera Thuppahi the heroes.
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A sleepless night of anticipation turned into a sleepless night of celebration for Altona Roosters skipper Ashleigh Peters on Sunday.
The Roosters claimed the VTCA Division 2 McNamara Shield with a nailbiting two-wicket win over Grand United at Langshaw Reserve.
Dishnaka Ariyarathna was awarded the grand final medal for his 5-26, skittling Grand for just 129, together with Matt Short (3-29).
A middle order collapse saw Roosters in trouble at 6-88 before Nadeera Thuppahi (40 not out) guided his team to victory.
The club’s first premiership since 2018-19 ensures promotion back to Division 1 two seasons after relegation in 2021-22.
Peters said it was a great feeling to get over the line.
“A couple of sleepless nights and the heart-rate was through the roof,” he said.
“They’re a quality team, we beat them once and they beat us once.
“It got a bit too close for comfort to be honest but we knew we were in for a fight, the two best teams in the competition.”
Altona won the toss and surprisingly chose to bowl.
Captain and opening bat Jayden White-Powell got Grand off to a quick start with a match-high 53 from 99 balls before falling to Ariyarathna.
It triggered a 5-16 collapse as the Roosters quick ripped through United’s middle order, the final eight wickets falling for 42 runs.
Altona also made a strong start as openers Suresh Fernando (32 of 91) and Aiden Elkington (20 off 91) made a patient 53-run stand.
Oliver Davidson (4-36) quickly put the Gorillas back on top as the home team lost 5-25 in the middle order.
However, Thuppahi and No.8 Leigh Lewis (16) steadied the ship with a match-turning 32-run partnership to get the chase within 10 runs.
Thuppahi hit the winning runs, sparking wild celebrations.
“I had a chat to (Thuppahi), and everyone, before the game and said someone in our top-five had to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and he was the one to do it,” Peters said.
“He batted really well, was given a chance and he capitalised on it at the back end of the game.
“The opening bowlers set the game up for us.
“It allowed us to try different things and dictate the game.”
Grand United’s competition leading run-scorer Leniko Boucher and wicket-taker Sam Crea failed to fire, finishing with 23 and 1-44 respectively.
It’s the club’s second grand final loss this season after also falling short in the VTCA T20 decider against St Albans.
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Roosters will return to Division 1, keen to erase the memory of its two-win relegation season.
“It’s fantastic for the club,” Peters said.
“The club is pushing for all the right things and hopefully we can continue our form next season.
“It’s nice to go back up, we’ll always keep striving to play the best cricket we can as a club.”
Meanwhile, the Division 2 Second XI premiership was won by Tullamarine with a 50-run win over Greenvale Kangaroos.
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