Check out all the highlights from the VSDCA North-West double-header

VSDCA North-West wrap: There was last-ball chaos between Taylors Lakes and Preston, redemption for Melton and a stunning upset for Ivanhoe.

The weekend’s VSDCA North-West one-day double-header had everything.

From crazy finishes to stunning upsets, big scores, bags of wickets and everything in between.

Watch the video above of the final ball between Taylors Lakes and Preston, which has to be seen to be believed.

Plus, the latest in the fight for a top-six finish, with nine teams still in the mix.

Get all the weekend’s highlights below.

Luke Denny in action for Taylors Lakes. Picture: Andy Brownbill

JOY FOR LAKES, HEARTBREAK FOR PRESTON

What a way for Taylors Lakes to escape with a one-run win over Preston. The visiting Preston needed two runs off the final ball to tie, and three to win, then a wild finish ensued. It took three goes for Lions coach Aamir Raza to deliver the ball. First he pulled out of his bowling stride, then Dennis Maratos pulled out when Raza came again, then it was time. Maratos was only able to hit the ball to mid-on and his teammate Amit Chaudhary pulled up lame after getting through for one and couldn’t turn for a second. Maratos was then ran out. Taylors Lakes had posted 164 led by Steffan Roberts high score of 35 before Preston fell short. Marcus Murphy’s 43 had given the visitors hope late in the innings.

THANKFULLY THERE’S TOMORROW

Melton will be thankful there’s a second game in less than 24 hours after the Lions were rolled for just 34 by Werribee at MacPherson Oval on Saturday. The nightmare day out was the lowest score of the season and likewise the best bowling performance of the season. Tigers gun Jonathan Burton took 4-8, while youngster Finlay Cowell had 3-21. Conrad Farrugia was Melton’s top-scorer with eight runs, while Rhys Berry’s was the longest innings, lasting 18 balls for one run. In reply, Werribee completed the chase in just 9.3 overs – albeit losing three wickets. Simrth Gill hit 15 from 17 balls, while Luke Reid finished 11 not out. Brad Jones took 2-20 for the hosts.

Brad Jones was one of Melton’s best in the win over Plenty Valley. Picture: Valeriu Campan

AND TOMORROW CAME …

All out 34 on Saturday, big winners on Sunday. Melton enjoyed a successive finish to the weekend, knocking off Plenty Valley by 16 runs at Binnak Park. After winning the toss, it looked like deja vu as the Lions fell to 3-36 but Ben Macrae produced a captain’s knock of 55 and Joel Mitchener scored an unbeaten 78, putting on a 74-run fourth-wicket stand before Mitchener and Steve Shields made a 86-run partnership to get the visitors to 4-196. It proved enough, despite Bats captain Simon Black’s 40 and Tobias Raper’s 50 the home team was dismissed for 180. Brad Jones did the damage for Melton, picking up 4-31.

BROTHERLY LOVE AT ALTONA

The Grubb brothers, skipper James, Matt and Mitch, were at the centre of Altona’s critical win over Yarraville. James and Matt both hit vital half-centuries to inspire a five-wicket win at Grant Reserve. Coming together with the hosts in serious trouble at 3-8, the pair put on a match-winning 114-run fourth-wicket partnership before Matt fell. James was out a short time later with 25 runs to get but Mitch (15 not out), together with Matt Turcinovich (17 not out), saw the team home. Ben Davies led the way with the ball, taking 3-15, to restrict Yarraville to 7-162. Adam Williamson top-scored with 37 for the Eagles. Ashish Mathew snared 3-25.

James Grubb in action for Altona. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mitchell Grubb in action for Altona. Picture: Andy Brownbill

WOODSMEN BY THE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH

Wins don’t get much closer than Spotswood’s over Williamstown at Williamstown on Saturday. Matt Dervan’s 59, together with Jack Craig (45) and Matt Twentyman (42) had put the Seagulls in a strong position at 9-233 after 45 overs. However, the ladder-leader would not be denied. Taylor Tatterson (68) and Jarrod Martignago (48) put on a 123-run opening stand before a 5-22 collapse. Mac Short (20), Ross Horkings (28) and Dan Schuppan (32) steadied the ship before another 3-8 collapse set up a heart-stopping finish. Harry Lumsden (five not out) and Sam Hope (one not out) got the job done with seven balls remaining.

BUT THE LUCK RAN OUT

Ivanhoe has produced arguably the upset of the VSDCA North-West season, sensationally knocking off ladder-leader Spotswood by four wickets at Donald McLean Reserve. Despite Taylor Tatterson’s 60 giving the home team a fast start, economic bowling from Saints Ed Withington 3-21, Jon Kuch 2-29 and James Heaney 2-26 limited the reigning premier to 154 from just 37.2 overs. It would prove critical as Ivanhoe methodically ran down the total in 40.4 overs. At 2-36 after an early wobble, Arjun Dhull (46) and James Heaney (36) put on a 78-run stand to put the visitors on top. The pair fell in quick succession but Ray Mitchell (20) and Jack McLagan (13 not out) were able to steer the team to a stunning win. The pair return to McLean Reserve on Tuesday night to battle in the Subbies’ T20 grand final.

Ed Withington in action for Ivanhoe. Picture: Josh Chadwick

SNOWDOGS CELEBRATE SPINELLA’S 200th IN STYLE

St Bernard’s marked club great Chris Spinella’s 200th First XI match in style with 158-run belting of Plenty Valley at College Oval. Rory Collins fell agonisingly short of a century, out of 95, while in his 150th club match Dan O’Connell hit 50 – the pair putting on a 124-run opening stand. Jevon Kett kept the runs flowing with 50 of his own and the milestone man finished unbeaten on 33 as the Snowodogs posted 3-263 from their 50 overs. In reply, the Bats were in early trouble, falling to 4-22 then 6-44 before losing their last five wickets for just 13 runs – all out 105. Plenty captain Simon Black was a shining light, scoring a fighting half-century and finishing unbeaten on 51. Aaron Smillie did most of the damage for St Bernard’s with 5-20.

MORES ON THE BOARD

It was Cameron Pennyfeather’s birthday on Saturday but he was the one giving the gift. The West Indian produced the decisive knock to deliver Strathmore’s first win of the VSDCA North-West season and break the club’s losing streak. The Mores’ four-wicket win over Coburg ends a 19-game skid, dating back to last season. Pennyfeather (68 off 77 balls), together with Luke Bassi (45), helped Strathmore chase down Coburg’s 5-208 with three overs to spare at Coburg City Oval. Aaron Shellie top-scored for the Lions with 93 from just 102 balls, while Will Archer hit 53 not out and Kevin Noronha snared 3-44.

Williamstown captain Sean Sturrock. Picture: Valeriu Campan

STURROCK WREAKS HOPPERS

After coming up agonisingly short against Spotswood on Saturday, Williamstown kept its finals hopes alive with a critical 40-run win over top-six rival Hoppers Crossing. Matt Dervan continued his outstanding weekend with a second half-century, out for exactly 50 from 65 balls. Willy one of the few teams to resist ex-international spinner Fawad Ahmed, who finished with 1-33. Seagulls captain Sean Sturrock then ran through the visiting Cats, snaring 5-18 from eight overs, including the key wickets of counterpart Simon Lambert and Shijit Poovathingal. Sturrock now sits second on the competition wicket-taker charts with 33 scalps, while Lambert – who top-scored with 47 – is third in runs.

FIVE IN FINALS FIGHT

After the weekend’s double-header there are now two rounds remaining in the VSDCA North-West season. As many as nine teams are still in the hunt for a top-six berth. Spotswood, Kew and St Bernard’s look to have home finals locked in, while Werribee looks strong in fourth. However, the last two places are still very much up for grabs. Altona and Preston currently hold fifth and sixth, both on 48 points. Hoppers Crossing is just two points behind and Brunswick three points. Williamstown is ninth on 40 points, eight points behind, so will need results to go its way but is still very much in the hunt and can still shape the finals. Here’s how it’s shaping up.

1. Spotswood (63 pts): Werribee (A), Plenty Valley (H)

2. Kew (61): Plenty Valley (H), Coburg (H)

3. St Bernard’s (60): Preston (H), Yarraville (A)

4. Werribee (54): Spotswood (H), Hoppers Crossing (A)

5. Altona (48): Melton (A), Williamstown (A)

6. Preston (48): St Bernard’s (A), Melton (H)

7. Hoppers Crossing (46): Taylors Lakes (H), Werribee (H)

8. Brunswick (45): Williamstown (A), Ivanhoe (A)

9. Williamstown (40): Brunswick (H), Altona (H)