Centuries galore and dominant performances highlight VTCA

There were stunning upsets, outright victories and ladder shaping results across the VTCA at the weekend. Here’s everything you need to know.

Airport West St Christophers captain Daniel Salpietro hit an unbeaten century. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The weekend’s VTCA action was arguably one of the most important of the season.

There were stunning upsets, outright victories and ladder shaping results.

Here’s everything you need to know.

WARRIORS TOPPLE PREMIERS

Westmeadows secured arguably its finest win since returning to Senior Division in 2020-21. The Warriors secured a nail-biting two-wicket win over reigning premier Yarraville Club at Hansen Reserve on Saturday, chasing down 190 for victory. On Day 1, Jackson Smith led the way with 3-53, Pathum de Mel (2-51), Suresh de Silva (2-37) and Billy Kosteas (2-6) ran through the Clubbers. The total could have been even less for the hosts if not for captain Mitch Johnstone’s unbeaten 62. In response, Westmeadows captain Donovan Pell made a strong start before falling for 50 and Geeth Alwis added 42. Then, in a tense finish, Smith, de Mel and de Silva backed up their bowling performances with the bat. De Mel made 19 before Smith (17 not out) and de Silva (13 not out) guided their team to victory.

Donovan Pell of Westmeadows.Picture: George Sal

SEDDON ON THE BOARD

After struggling for most of the season, Seddon is finally on the board after a convincing 57-run win over Doutta Stars. The home side posted 7-206 on day one led by Kyle Scheepers half-century before a strong bowling display led them to a win. Douttas were rolled for just 149 as Scheepers, Amar Khan and George Morgan all took three wickets apiece. Early wickets put the visitors on the back foot before Patrick Willach (38 off 77) and Harrison Quail (31 off 60) provided some resistance in the middle order.

STORM STROLLS TO OUTRIGHT WIN

Having already wrapped up first innings points against Craigieburn on day one, Sydenham-Hillside went chasing outright victory on Saturday. The Storm declared before the start of play, posting 2-163 for a lead of 101, thanks to half-centuries from skipper Anthony Alleyne (76no) and Gayashan Weerasekara (53no). Skittled for just 62 in the first innings, the Eagles were much improved in the second but were still dismissed for 144, Kevin Spaull and Arvind Raghunathan top-scoring with 35 not out and 32 respectively. Tim Grech took 3-24. It left Sydenham-Hillside just 43 runs to chase for victory. Despite losing Deakyn McIntyre and Alleyne cheaply, Ishan Peiris (12no) and Weerasekara (25no) got the job done inside eight overs. The victory catapults the Storm into second place on the ladder and a strong position to play finals in their first season at the level.

THURSTON STEERS ABERS HOME

Having already taken 3-23 to restrict Druids to 4-168 on day one, Aberfeldie gun Charlie Thurston returned on Saturday to finish the job. Coming in at first drop, Thurston compiled a patient 67 not out from 105 balls to steer Abers to a six-wicket victory at Clifton Park. Cameron West (34) and Tom Godsell (36) also made important contributions to the run chase. Will Wright took 4-39 last week to be the match’s leading bowler. Abers now sits third on the VTCA Senior Division ladder

Keilor’s Matthew Gaskett. Picture: Andy Brownbill

GASKETT’S SEVEN CAN’T SAVE KEILOR

Reigning Paxino Medallist Matthew Gaskett’s impressive 7-58 couldn’t stop St Albans from claiming a six-wicket win on Saturday. Keilor just didn’t have enough runs on the board, dismissed for 125 on day one of the match at Joe Brown Reserve. Ashen Abeykoon starred with the bat for the Saints, hitting 85, while Akila Isanka scored 53 as the visitors finished 236 all out.

GRAND IN FINALS BOX SEAT

Something would have to go spectacularly wrong for Grand United to miss VTCA Division 2 finals in their first season at the level. The Gorillas secured a dominant seven-wicket win over second-placed Tullamarine at Leo Dineen Reserve on Saturday to move nine points clear at the top of the table. Videsh Dassanayake scored 66 and Sam Crea snapped up 5-58 on day one of the match last week as Tullamarine posted 184. In response, Kyle Holden (77), Leniko Boucher (55 not out) and captain Jayden White-Powell (30) quickly tracked down the winning runs. Boucher is the competition’s leading run-scorer with 410 at an average of 68.33, while Crea leads the wicket-taker charts with 22 scalps at 9.64.

IMPERIALS CLAIM CRUNCH CLASH

Williamstown Imperials have proven why they can’t be discounted from the Roy Picone Shield premiership race after a dominant win over Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s. After being bowled out for 106 on day one, Imperials responded by rolling the Lions for just 99 with Teriq Worrell leading the way with four wickets. Tom Burton was also impressive with three scalps. Imperials showed much more control when they went out for the second dig finishing on 2-82 when the game was finished.

BURNSIDE SPRINGS MOVE INTO THE TOP-FOUR

It was a finals like game and it was Burnside Springs United who came out on top in a crucial game against Sunshine YCW. United moved into the Russell Pollock Shield top-four courtesy of their three-wicket win. Chasing YCW’s 175, Radhakrishnan Venkata Subramanian led the way with a half-century at the top of the order, sharing a 98-run stand with Oscar Hodgetts to give their side the perfect platform. Despite losing wickets late, they were able to get across the line.

BELLBRIDGE IN POLE POSITION

In a low scoring affair, Bellbridge moved into prime position to play Division 4 finals after getting the better of East Coburg. After rolling their opposition for just 84 on day one, the visitors showed great poise to get across the line by four wickets. Nirav Dhaliwal top scored for his side with 26 while Bailey Moffatt finished 23 not out.

DAY ONE REVIEW

The latest weekend of Victorian Turf Cricket Association action had it all.

Huge centuries, dominant bowling performances and scores that need to bee seen to be believed.

Here’s what you might have missed.

STORM CHASING OUTRIGHT

Craigieburn faces an uphill task if it is to avoid an outright loss this weekend. Sydenham-Hillside already has first innings points after a dominant performance in day one of the VTCA Senior Division two-day clash at Hillside Reserve. The Storm skittled the visitors for just 62 on Saturday as Alex Barlas (4-14), Stefon King (3-25) and Tim Grech (2-15) ran rampant. Craigieburn No. 9 Chameera Perera top scored with 19 not out as only two other teammates reached double figures. In response, Sydenham-Hillside piled on the runs, reaching 1-163 at stumps. Storm skipper Anthony Alleyne (76no) and Gayashan Weerasekara (53no) will resume after sterling performances.

WINDIES RECRUIT FIRES FOR DEER PARK

After a quiet debut, where he took 1-47, Deer Park’s West Indian recruit Keon Harding found top gear on Saturday againstshinshine United. Harding finished with 5-46 from 17.4 overs at Selwyn Park. The spell helped restrict United to 200 all out behind a half-century from Buddhika Alegwatta (54) and Matthew Sipala’s 47. Deer Park had to negotiate four overs before stumps, reaching 0-22 and will resume with Hashan Wanasekera (6no) and Angelo Emmanuel (14no) at the crease.

St Albans star Shafraz Mohamed. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Keilor’s Robert Clements and Jarryd Clements. Picture: Andy Brownbill

SAINTS SKIPPER’S SUPER SIX

St Albans is in the box seat for victory against Keilor after a strong day one of their two-dayer at Joe Brown Reserve. Saints skipper Shafraz Mohammed led from the front, taking 6-35 from 17.4 overs, as the Blues were dismissed for 125. Akila Isanka was the only other wicket-taker, finishing with 3-28. Openers Nathan Beever (30) and Nick Taylor (33) had got Keilor off to a strong start but the home team collapsed thereafter. The Saints reached 4-80 by stumps and need just 45 runs for victory with Lihan Dulshan (9no) and Ashen Abeykoon (2no) at the crease. Nils Priestly (21) and Sammika Perera (37) made strong starts before Reeve Evitts (2-46) and Matt Gaskett (2-18) gave Keilor a glimmer of hope.

EX-BBL TALENT LIGHTS UP DIVISION 1

Airport West St Christopher’s captain Daniel Salpietro was in stunning form against ladder leader Sunshine as he plundered an unbeaten 168 runs from 209 deliveries at Dempster Park. His innings guided the Eagles to 4-314 at the end of play, and he could have been more if the visitors had of faced all 80 overs. Salpietro’s stay at the crease included 17 boundaries and two sixes.

UNITED LOOK TO SPRING A SURPRISE

Footscray United will head into day two against finals contender PEGS confident it can get its second win of the season. The Bulldogs bowled the home side out for 190 led by captain Daniel Melican and Frank Hoang who took three wickets apiece. PEGS captain Jordan Cook provided some resistance with 73 off 120. United were 1-10 at stumps.

CAROLINE SPRINGS DEVASTATING PERFORMANCE

It might be hard to find a more dominant display than Caroline Springs’ effort against Werribee Centrals in the Roy Picone Shield. The Falcons rolled their hosts for just 70 as Gavin McCallum and captain Shiran Rajakaruna took four wickets each. Then, they went ballistic with the bat. In 48 overs, the visitors hit 3-338 with Chathura Rathnaweera Patabedige and Damith Priyadarshana both hitting centuries.

OPENING BOWLERS DOMINATE FOR DONNYBROOK

Kamalpreet Singh and Vikram Mandhotra put together quite the performance for Donnybrook on Saturday as they already secured first innings points against Seabrook. The pair took five wickets apiece to roll the hosts for just 64 before Donnybrook went onto score 153 in response. They’ll now chase an outright win with Seabrook 2-10 at stumps.

GELLIBRAND CHASE OUTRIGHT WIN

Division 4 ladder leader Gellibrand grabbed first innings points against fellow finals contender Roxburgh Park on Saturday in a lowing scoring affair. Gellibrand rolled the home side for just 56 as captain Paul Hetherington led the way with four wickets. In response, they reached 6-95 at stumps with Jason Hibbert the top scorer so far on 33.