Check out all the major talking points from the weekend VSDCA North-West group action
VSDCA North-West: Ivanhoe comes from the clouds and Jarrod Martignago punishing century, plus plenty more talking points and our Team of the Week.
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The VSDCA North-West group has once again provided a weekend full of highlights.
There were fine centuries and a more than a few bundles of wickets.
There were surprise comebacks, steadying wins and some brilliant solo performances.
Check out all the major talking points and our Team of the Week below.
SAINTS COMEBACK FOR THE AGES
Ivanhoe were in dire trouble at 3-39 as gun Irish import Mark Donegan walked back to the Yarraville Oval pavilion for a duck. However, fast forward a couple of hours and the Saints were celebrating a famous victory over Yarraville. Ashish Mathew’s 53 from 63 saw the home team post 178 all out. Ivanhoe captain-coach Henry Tyler was the leading bowler, taking 4-30, while Jon Kuch snared 3-32. In reply, Finn Cleary, Tyler and Donegan were all quickly back in the shed before Jack McLagan (26) and Arjun Dhull steadied the ship. Dhull would see his side home with an unbeaten 52, while Max Fitzgerald (22) and Ray Mitchell (38 not out) provided critical assistance. Ivanhoe finishing the game with nine balls to spare.
MARTIGNAGO’S MONSTER PERFORMANCE
Melton were almost powerless to stop Spotswood opener Jarrod Martignago on Saturday. He powered his way to 135 runs from 141 balls as the reigning premier posted an impressive 4-290 from its 45 overs. Spotty skipper Jakson Knight also pitched in with a half-century to guide his side to a big score. With the ball, it was Lachlan McKenna who did most of the damage with 4-27 form his nine overs. Melton was all out for 137.
SHELLIE FIRES WITH BAT & BALL
Coburg captain-coach Aaron Shellie has found his groove. The Lions star produced a match-winning all-round display on Saturday to inspire a 127-run win over Plenty Valley at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The skipper scored a match-high 76 at the top of the order, combining with Aaron Ayre (34) for a 114-run opening stand. Abhiram Paleru added 39 and finished Cam D’Cruz 32 not out as Coburg posted 240. Shellie then ripped through the Bats top-order, taking three of the top-four scalps, to finish with 3-16. Ayre again rode shotgun, snaring 3-29. Plenty Valley was all out 113 with Troy Haynes the high scorer with 22, while Tanmay Arora was the Bats’ best bowler with 3-44.
SAKKAS STARS AS LIONS CONTINUE TO SHINE
You can’t discount Taylors Lakes from the finals race this season. The Lions might just have two wins to their name so far but they’re already proving a handful. At the weekend, they were far too good for Williamstown, who scored 9-172, after George Sakkas claimed five wickets. Eventually Steffan Roberts’ unbeaten 84 was enough to guide the Lions to an eight-wicket win.
BULLANTS PUT BITE ON KEW
Preston moved joint top of the Subbies North-West ladder with an impressive win over the previously undefeated Kew at Victoria Park. Sent in, Shakeel Ahmad’s blazing 44 from 23 balls and Vaib Deshpande’s more patient 76 from 85 gave the Bullants the perfect start. Greg Maratos (39) and Mahesh Kodamullage (32no) then got the visitors to 6-255. In response, Kew never found its rhythm. Jack Stewart played a lone hand, finishing unbeaten on 100 but had few partners. Always behind the required run-rate, Kew finished 6-209 from it’s 45 overs.
DAVIES’ STRATHMORE DEMOLITION
Ben Davies returned to Altona with the hope of adding more depth to the batting stocks but it was his efforts with the ball that stole the show on Saturday. Davies ripped through Strathmore’s top order finishing with 6-15 from his nine overs to have the Mores all out for 93. It came out after Altona posted 6-205 led by captain James Grubb’s 70 not out.
AHMED’S BEST PERFORMANCE YET
Hoppers Crossing secured its second straight win and marquee off-season recruit Fawad Ahmed produced his best performance of the season. The former Australia leg-spinner claimed 3-22 as St Bernard’s were reduced to 9-142. Hoppers posted 7-208 from their 45 overs led by captain-coach Simon Lambert’s 71 from 84. He also took 2-22.
STEADYING WIN FOR WERRIBEE
After two losses in a row, Werribee is back on the winner’s list after a 26-run win over Brunswick. The Tigers posted 5-236 led by Nathan Taylor and James Freeman scoring 88 and 77no respectively. Freeman also proved decisive with the ball, taking 3-38, as Brunswick were all out for 210.
VSDCA NORTH-WEST TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Jarrod Martignago (Spotswood) – 135 & 1-18
2. Jack Stewart (Kew) – 100no
3. Steffan Robers (Taylors Lakes) – 84no
4. Aaron Shellie (Coburg) – 76 & 3-18
5. Simon Lambert (Hoppers Crossing) – 71 & 2-22
6. James Freeman (Werribee) – 77no & 3-38
7. Ben Davies (Altona) – 6-16
8. Arjun Dhull (Ivanhoe) – 52no & 2-23
10. Fawad Ahmed (Hoppers Crossing) – 3-22
11. George Sakkas (Taylors Lakes) – 5-47
12. Nathan Taylor (Werribee) – 88
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