How VTCA grand finals will be decided if wet weather hits
The VTCA has revealed how its best-of-three grand final series will be decided if wet weather hits this weekend as forecast. Plus how each division decider is placed.
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With wet weather forecast this weekend the Victorian Turf Cricket Association has revealed how its best-of-three grand final series will be decided.
Only one game of the three-game finale has been completed after rain washed out last Sunday’s planned Game 2.
A reserve day has been enacted for this weekend with Game 2 now scheduled for Saturday and, if needed, Game 3 on Sunday.
SEE HOW ALL SIX GRAND FINALS ARE PLACED BELOW
No further reserve days are planned which leaves the result in the hands of the weather gods.
According to an email sent to clubs by league secretary Deanne Trewin, if both days are washed out then the winner of last weekend’s Game 1 will be declared the premier.
However, the rules vary if Saturday is rained out.
In the event Game 2 is washed out, if the higher placed team is leading 1-0 then it will be declared premier.
If the lower placed team is leading the series then Game 3 will be played.
Should the series then finish 1-1 the higher placed team is awarded the premiership.
As it stands only two higher placed teams won the opening game – Craigieburn and Sunbury – putting them in the box seat given Saturday’s forecast.
Doutta Stars, Altona North, West Newport and Williamstown Colts were lower-placed winners last weekend and will be hoping Sunday is wet as well.
Keep an eye on Leader’s Local Sport website and Local Cricket Facebook page for full coverage of the weekend’s action.
SENIOR DIVISION TURNER SHIELD
SUNSHINE UNITED V DOUTTA STARS
WHERE & WHEN: Selwyn Park, March 27 and 28 (if needed)
GAME 1: Doutta Stars (1-207) def Sunshine United (6-204) at Selwyn Park
KEY MATCH-UP: HAMISH MOORE v NALIN AMARATHUNGA
Stars captain-coach Moore starred in Game 1 with 4-26 and 82 and will again be a key player this weekend. In a high-scoring match the United attack wasn’t able to find a chink in the Stars’ armour but if anyone can it will be paceman Amarathunga, who topping the competition wickets list this season with 24 at a fine average of 11.38.
STATE OF PLAY: With Doutta Stars the lower placed team this grand final could be extended to Game 3 due to the weather. Water got under the covers last Sunday and the week’s rain will have Sunshine United’s curator under the pump to have a pitch ready for either day if the Tigers are any hope of squaring the series and claiming the title.
DIVISION 1 ISAACS HOWARTH SHIELD
CRAIGIEBURN v SUNSHINE
WHERE & WHEN: DS Aitken Reserve, March 27 & 28 (if needed)
GAME 1: Craigieburn (9-104) def Sunshine (84) at DS Aitken Reserve
KEY MATCH-UP: TROY STONE v DANIEL ENGLISH
Stone and English certainly lived up to the pre-match predictions. Stone took 2-12 and scored a match-high 37 runs while English made nine and also claimed 2-12 as the Eagles claimed victory. Both men will have key roles to play again if their teams are to be celebrating by the end of the weekend
STATE OF PLAY: Craigieburn are in the box seat under the VTCA’s ruling. If Saturday’s Game 2 is washed out then as the higher placed team it will be awarded the premiership and promotion to Senior Division. Sunshine will be praying to the weather gods on Friday night that the clouds clear and play can get underway on both days to have any hope of a come-from-behind premiership.
DIVISION 2 MCNAMARA SHIELD
NEWPORT-DIGMAN V ALTONA NORTH
WHERE & WHEN: Bryan Martyn Oval, March 27 & 28 (if needed)
GAME 1: Altona North (3-138) def Newport-Digman (9-136) at Bryan Martyn Oval
KEY MATCH-UP: SULAN JAYAWARDHANA v PATRICK McARDLE
Jayawardhana contributed just 12 runs in Game 1 and Newport-Digman will need more from their star batsman if they are to come from behind and claim the Division 2 premiership. In contrast, McArdle claimed 2-21 from his eight overs to give his team the best possible chance of victory and Altona North skipper Nick Rainone’ unbeaten 83 got the job done.
STATE OF PLAY: Newport-Digman is still alive even if Saturday is washed out but it will take an almighty effort to stop Altona North claiming the title. Given the forecast, the series will likely come down to a winner-take-all Game 3 and North will be full of confidence after their Game 1 performance.
DIVISION 3 PICONE SHIELD
WILLIAMSTOWN IMPERIALS v WEST NEWPORT
WHERE & WHEN: Fearon Reserve, March 27 and 28 (if needed)
GAME 1: West Newport (6-156) def Williamstown Imperials (155) at Fearon Reserve
KEY MATCH-UP: HAYDEN WILKINSON v JOSH MACDONALD
Imperials captain-coach Wilkinson did his job scoring a team-high 28 runs but the home team’s total wasn’t enough on the day as Peter Hick’s 79 drove West Newport home. Macdonald copped some stick with the ball, finishing with 1-33, but that wicket was Wilkinson’s. The battle within the battle will again be critical this weekend.
STATE OF PLAY: West Newport clearly enjoys playing at Fearon Reserve having claimed victory in the home-and-away season and grand final Game 1. Can Imperials turn it around? They’ll get two bites at the cherry weather permitting. The home will need to reverse the form guide and either claim both Saturday and Sunday’s games or if Saturday is washed out hope to square the series and win the title as the higher placed team. West Newport will hope the rain falls heavy but will fancy their chances of winning the one game needed if play does get underway.
DIVISION 4 CLARK SHIELD
SUNBURY V FOOTSCRAY UNITED
WHERE & WHEN: Progress Reserve, Coolaroo, March 27 & 28 (if needed)
GAME 1: Sunbury (9-130) def Footscray United (70) at Progress Reserve
KEY MATCH-UP: JASON McGANN v YADITHA USHAN
McGann failed to fire in Game 1, contributing 13 and 1-14 while Ushan did his part with the ball, taking 3-24. Instead Craig Ballinger (40) and Michael Treweek (30 and 2-14) propelled Sunbury to a comfortable victory. But you can’t keep good players down for long and both McGann and Ushan will be determined to make the most of their opportunities this weekend.
STATE OF PLAY: Sunbury are sitting pretty with a 1-0 lead and home ground advantage. If Saturday’s Game 2 is washed out the club will be awarded the premiership and a second straight promotion. Footscray United needs its batsmen to stand up if its to have any chance, the team has been bowled out for 56 and 70 in its past two meetings with Sunbury.
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DIVISION 5 POLLOCK SHIELD
BELLBRIDGE v WILLIAMSTOWN COLTS
WHERE & WHEN: Mossfiel Reserve, March 27 & 28 (if needed)
GAME 1: Williamstown Colts (1-36) def Bellbridge (34) Mossfiel Reserve
KEY MATCH-UP: DANIEL SPENCER v SUJEEWA LIYANGE
The Colts attack ran rampant in Game 1 and Liyange finished with 2-4 while Gurpreet Singh Wranglers was the main destroyer with 4-10. Spencer was one of Wranglers’ victims, scoring two, and will be determined to make amends if given the opportunity this weekend.
STATE OF PLAY: It would be a comeback for the ages if Bellbridge can turnaround a nine-wicket mauling in Game 1 and claim the premiership. With home ground advantage they’ll need to win at least one game on Saturday or Sunday with a tie good enough. With Saturday looking increasingly like being washed out Colts will be anxiously awaiting to see what the weather gods deliver on Sunday.
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