Check out all the VSDCA North-East highlights from the weekend’s matches

In a big weekend of Subbies action, Preston and Coburg added another chapter to their rivalry, while Croydon and Kew reignited their finals hopes.

Shakeel Ahmad in action for Preston. Picture: Andy Brownbill

There’s just one match remaining in the VSDCA North-East season.

Some stunning results over the weekend means the battle for finals is red-hot, with three teams fighting for sixth spot.

Elsewhere, there were match-winning batting and bowling performances.

And at Preston City Oval, two rivals could not be separated.

Check out all the highlights from the weekend’s action below.

Mahesh Kodamullage in action for Preston. Picture: Hamish Blair

BELL STREET BATTLE

Old rivals Preston and Coburg played out arguably one of the greatest clashes in their storied history at Preston City Oval on Saturday, playing out an incredible tie. It’s the second time in the club’s rivalry scores have been level after both finished on 114 in 1972-73. On Saturday, the teams finished deadlocked on 232. Batting first, Coburg was led by Noah Thain (58), Cam Harding (38) and Kevin Noronha (48), reaching 232 all out in 73 overs. Harry Aitken (2-29) and Marcus Murphy (2-40) were the Bullants’ leading bowlers. Preston’s chase got off to a rocky start and the visitors looked in trouble at 7-105. However, Mahesh Kodamullage (64) and Kyle Walsh (47) turned the match with a patient 105-run eighth-wicket partnership, Kodamullage lasting 158 balls, while Walsh fell after 102 deliveries. However, the Bullants will rue a missed opportunity to win a 13th match, levelling the scores with two wickets and nine balls in hand. In a stunning finish, Aitken (9) fell to Thain (3-52) at 78.4 overs and three balls later Kodamullage feathered a catch to Osian Catlin at slip off Harding. Coburg celebrated like it had won the match. The result keeps Preston undefeated on the season and top of the North-East ladder with one match remaining.

COCKIES BY PLENTY

Finals might be just a bridge too far for Croydon despite its 71-run win over the very side it’s been hoping to overthrow for sixth – Plenty Valley. The Cockies’ 159 one day one last week, led by Adam Quirk’s 59, proved enough to claim victory at Croydon Park. And speaking of ever-reliable stars, Chris Brown took no prisoners with the ball, claiming 5-18 off 12 overs to send Plenty Valley back to the sheds for just 80. The Bats were on a high after wicketkeeper Basim Khan’s record-breaking nine-catch performance last week but had no answers with the bat. After 6-33 with the ball, Musaddiq Ali Hamza also top-scored with the bat, making 31. Eyeing an outright, Croydon made a quick-fire 7-77, Steve Wright’s peeling off 44, before putting the visitors back in. Brown took another two wickets but this time Plenty Valley held, reaching 4-149 at stumps. Alex Cole top-scored in the second innings with 53 not out. Plenty Valley must win its final round clash with Coburg to ensure finals. Croydon sits eighth, with 45 points, just six points and percentage behind. The Cockies face Noble Park at Croydon Park, while seventh placed Kew tackles ladder-leader Preston.

Steve Wright batting for Croydon.

KEW LAUNCHES INTO FINALS FRAME

Kew’s premiership defence looked over but a stunning outright win over Endeavour Hills on Saturday has catapulted the club back into top-six contention. In a big-hitting finish, Kew chased down 86 in 15 overs to snatch an eight-wickt victory and move within two points of sixth-placed Plenty Valley. Last week, Kew won the toss and sent the Hills in. Sese Bau top-scored with 58 as the hosts posted 155 all out. Lachlan Cunningham (3-34) and Jack Carroll (3-53) were the pick of the bowlers. Opener Eddie Hogg made 45 and skipper David Wildsmith led the way with 57 not out as Kew chased it down with six-wickets in hand before declaring at 4-170. There was little resistance from the Endeavour Hills bats in the second dig as Ross Suri ripped through them, snaring 5-48, while Jack Carroll added another 3-15. The Hills were skittled for 101, leaving Kew needing 86 runs for the outright. Luke Adams smashed 41 not out from 37 balls, while Wildsmith again impressed with 28 not out from 26 deliveries to guide the premiers home. Kew will have to beat ladder-leader Preston in the final round of the home-and-away season to keep its finals hopes alive.

BULLS PREVAIL IN SLUGFEST

Bhanuka Keppetipola led Noble Park to a 71-run win over Balwyn to continue his side’s red-hot form ahead of the VSDCA North-East finals, three points clear in second place. Peeling off an unbeaten 71 in the Bulls’ 7-337 total, Keppetipola later snared 5-56 off 22 overs to cut the Tigers’ run short on 266. There were plenty of big scores with the bat – Janaka Liyanabadalge (92 off 103 balls), Nilochana Perera (68) and Sahan Perera (45) also starred for Noble, while three Tigers made half-centuries with Luke Vazquez and Christian Toppi smacking 56 apiece, and Dom Greene recording an unbeaten 57.

Nilochana Perera in action for Noble Park. Picture: Josh Chadwick

PERERA CLASS INSPIRES DOGS

Perennial Subbies Team of the Year contender Nish Perera once again showed his class with bat and ball as St Bernard’s claimed a five-wicket win over Donvale at Murphy Oval. The gun all-rounder helped skittles the Vales for just 130 on day one last week, claiming 5-58. Coach Luke Davis chipped in with 3-8. Sitting 3-100 at stumps, the Snowdogs wobbled early on day two, losing Jevon Kett and Pat O’Connell. However, Perera again stood tall and finished 63 not out to guide his team to a first innings win. The hosts declared at 6-199 and put Donvale back in. The visitors reached 8-164 at stumps, Josh Lawrenson the best of the bowlers with 3-29 and Michael Carbone the top-scorer with the bat, 27 not out.

ROOS HOLD FOURTH

Mt Waverley romped to a 134-run victory over Bayswater to retain fourth place with one round to play. Led by Angus Robbins with a knock of 83 off 111 balls and Kurt Benjamin’s 77 off 82, the Kangaroos rocketed to 351. Baysie’s chase became even tougher at the unrelenting hand of quickie Jake Rigby, who claimed 4-50 off 20 overs. Bayswater’s chase finished on 217 off the back of valiant efforts from Jake Wigney (74) and Robert Cox (56).

Mount Waverley’s Angus Robbins. Picture: Andy Brownbill

WITHINGTON BOWLS SAINTS TO VICTORY

Defending 192 was going to take a big bowling performance and Ivanhoe got just that from young gun Ed Withington on Saturday. The Saints’ paceman claimed 6-24 in a starring performance, helping Ivanhoe to a seven-run win over Box Hill. Withington had a wicket with the first ball of the day at Ivanhoe Park, removing Tharun Jaganathan, caught Mo Abbas and sent fellow opener Tom Simmons on his way not long after to have the Mustangs 2-5. He returned later on to remove the final four Box Hill bats – on a hat-trick at one stage – to dismiss the visitors for 185. On day one, Brad Loveluck top-scored with 33 not out, while Withington (22) and Ray Mitchell (26) added some critical late runs to give Ivanhoe a defendable total. Muhammad Saeed was the pick of Box Hill’s bowlers with 3-21.

WICKS’ DYNAMIC DUO STRIKE AGAIN

Strathmore had no answer to Brunswick’s dynamic duo Dan Houghton and Ameya Gharat on Saturday. The Mores all out 116 as the Wicks claimed a comfortable 67-run victory at Lebanon Reserve. Houghton was on a hat-trick early before finishing with 5-40, while Gharat was equally impressive in taking 5-52 as the pair hogged the wickets for the second time in three matches. It could have been worse for Strathmore as it fell to 9-75 before late fireworks from Will Day. The No.11 hit a stunning 30 from 22 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six before being caught by Houghton off Gharat. On day one, Jackson Cooper was the hero, hitting a fine 73 at the top of the order. It is Cooper’s fourth half-century of the season. It saw Brunswick post 183 all out. Harshan Yogendra was the Mores’ best with the ball, snaring 4-60, while Lee added 3-36.