Cam West scores maiden century, Aberfeldie remains undefeated in VTCA

Aberfeldie opener Cam West scored his first hundred for the club to inspire a big win over Craigieburn and keep the club undefeated.

Aberfeldie captain Tallan Wright. Picture: George Sal

Cam West was the toast of Aberfeldie on Saturday after his maiden century for the club.

West has come through the ranks at Clifton Park, from under-10s to the First XI, and sparked wild celebrations when he reached the magical triple figures.

The performance inspired Abers to a 60-run win over Craigieburn at Aitken Reserve and continued the club’s unbeaten start to the VTCA Senior Division season.

West’s ton betters his previous best of 81, scored in 2019-20 against Deer Park in the old Division 1 West.

He was out soon after without adding a run, his 112-ball stay at the crease coming with four boundaries and four sixes.

Aberfeldie wicketkeeper James Jeffery in the field. Picture: George Sal

However, it will go down as one of the best moments of what has been an incredible season for Aberfeldie.

“We were pretty happy for him … and you could see the emotion when he got to a hundred, you could see how much it meant to him,” coach Sohan Boralessa said.

“The wicket wasn’t easy, there was a bit in it early, but he dug in.

“We always knew he had the talent, we put him up the order because it gives him the freedom to score and having some experienced batters around him helps as well and we saw the results.

“As a group we like the successes we’re getting and in between we know there’s going to be some great individual performances and this week was Cam’s turn.”

West’s father, Paul, was a long-time Aberfeldie player and president and evidently quick to remind his son of his legacy.

“He’s Paul West’s son, a former president of the club, and Westy was quick to say ‘another 16 or 17 more to get close to me’,” Boralessa said.

West, along with Jackson Kight (52) and skipper Tallan Wright (40 not out) helped Abers reach 3-222.

Wright sits eighth in the competition’s run-scorers charts with 301 runs, while Kight is 11th overall with 275 and West jumps to 13th.

Zac Orr was the best of the bowlers for Craigieburn, picking up 3-45, and sits equal top of the wicket-takers charts with 19 scalps.

The celebrations continued with the ball as Zach Mevissen trapped Dan English for a duck in the opening over of the game and Craigieburn were 2-13 when Tom Godsell removed Nathan Pappin.

Sam Karamoshou launched a fight back with a well-made 58 and Sam Laffan (24) and Josh Eaton (26) got the Eagles back in the game.

However, the early damage was done and the home side was all out 162.

Godsell finished with 2-17 and Shaifi Moazzem picked up 2-21.

Boralessa praised Moazzem’s contribution with the ball after missing out with the bat.

“Shaifi’s really come along with his offies, getting some good results,” he said.

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“He’s a strong utility players that bats well at the top and chips in with a few wickets but he’s turned into one of our main bowlers in the last few rounds.

“He’s been a really good addition for us this season.”

The VTCA has locked in the fixture for the remainder of the season.

Aberfeldie will look to keep its undefeated streak going against Keilor at Clifton Park, while Craigieburn will hope to bounce back against Druids at Shorten Reserve.