Brunswick edges rival Preston to stay ahead of pack in VSDCA finals fight

With seven teams battling for four spots in the ultra-competitive North-South group, Brunswick secured a critical win over arch-rival Preston.

Brunswick captain-coach Karl Mayne. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Brunswick has kept its nose in front in an enthralling battle for a Subbies top-six finish.

With just two games remaining in the home-and-away season, seven teams are vying for four places in the ultra-competitive North-South group.

The Wicks’ thrilling three-wicket win over local rival Preston keeps them ahead of the pack, sitting fifth, just three points behind St Bernard’s in fourth, in front of Oakleigh on run-rate and three points clear of Elsternwick in seventh.

With matches against another arch-rival, Coburg, ladder-leader Kew and Oakleigh in the final three matches, the victory at AG Gillon Reserve also secured the Steve Molloy Trophy.

“It’s big with nine teams vying for six spots. It was crucial that we got over the line,” captain-coach Karl Mayne said.

Brunswick opener Lewis Bouckley. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“We had to grind it out but the two boys at the end, David Bonavia and Henry Robertson, managed to put on 50 for that last wicket and get us over the line.

“It was a good celebration having our past players day downstairs so there were plenty in attendance against the arch-rivals in Preston, which meant we retained the Steve Molloy trophy.

“I think it was the difference between being fifth and dropping as far as eighth had we lost.

“It’s going to be super tight, it’s a strong competition, and we’ve got the other arch-rival Coburg next week and then fellow finalists Oakleigh and Kew to round out the season.

“If we do enough to get through we’ll be ready for finals, that’s for sure.”

The Bullants posted 152 on day one of the match, looking to win a third consecutive win.

Young wicketkeeper-batsman Lewis Bouckley (37) and Mayne (33) got Brunswick off to a strong start, reaching 0-62, before Mayne fell.

Bouckley’s wicket then triggered a 5-27 collapse, going from 2-81 to 7-109 on a difficult wicket.

Preston bowler Kyle Walsh. Picture: Valeriu Campan

However, Robertson (33) and Bonavia (17) turned the tables and combined for a match-winning 47-run partnership to steer their team home.

Mayne credited Robertson for turning the tide as his 33 runs came from 37 balls and included three boundaries and a pair of sixes.

“Henry was the one who changed the momentum of the game, he’s a clean striker coming in down the order,” Mayne said.

“He made 33 at close to a run a ball and it was probably his counter-attack that put them back under pressure and got those last 20 runs pretty quickly when often they can be the hardest to get.

“David at the other end is an experienced cricket who is really good in those moments as well.

“We’re stronger when David’s in the team, his bowling has been fantastic, I think his strike-rate would be among the best in the competition.”

Bonavia was Brunswick’s leading bowler the week before, claiming 3-33, together with Louis Cameron (3-37) who missed the second week due to work commitments and was replaced by Jack Moss.

Adam Jacklin was Preston’s best with the bat, scoring 38 not out, while Marcus Murphy and Kyle Walsh bowled themselves into the ground.

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Murphy bowled 22 overs and finished with 4-35, while Walsh claimed 3-62 from 23 overs, the pair combining for 45 of Preston’s 60 overs.

In other results, Caulfield (2-166 & 1-27) smashed Ivanhoe (68 & 124) by nine wickets, Nish Perera’s hundred was enough for St Bernard’s (265) to defeat Elsternwick (172) and Kew (9-251) were too strong for third-placed Ormond (140).

Brighton (6-199) eased past Plenty Valley (134 & 3-77) and Moorabbin (229) defeated Oakleigh (192) thanks to Roshan Livera’s 8-55 and Vishva Wijeratne’s 108.

Malvern and Port Melbourne and Coburg and Strathmore were washed out.