Check out all the weekend’s action as the VSDCA North-East season wrapped up
In a dramatic climax to the VSDCA North-East home-and-away season, Endeavour Hill produced the upset of the year and the top-six was settled.
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The VSDCA North-East season is done, on to finals.
In an exciting final round of one-day matches, three teams were still in the hunt for a top-six finish.
There were stunning upsets, heart-stopping finishes, and plenty of impressive individual performances.
Check out the top highlights from the weekend’s action.
BATS SEAL SIX
Entering the final round, the pressure was right on Plenty Valley. However, some good bowling and a Coburg disaster eased any stress and secured sixth place and a finals berth. Bats skipper Simon Black (4-15) led from the front, removing the first four Lions bats to have the visitors 4-31. It didn’t get much better as Kishor Mahato, Nimesh Maddumage and Josh Hempel all took two wickets each to fire out Coburg for a measly 63. Stunningly, Lions captain Hamza Ali made 32 of those runs in a one-man show of resistance. Kartik Singh (33) and Abbas Rashid (15) looked to finish the job quickly, reaching 0-43, before a small wobble saw the hosts lose 3-17. Alex Cole (6 not out) and Mussadiq Ali Hamzi (4 not out) then finished the job in just 10.5 overs. In an almost man-of-the-match performance, despite the heavy defeat, Ali also took 2-7 with the ball.
HILLS’ BIG UPSET
It’s not uncommon to suffer a hiccup on the eve of a finals campaign – and the lowly-placed Endeavour Hills inflicted just that on Mt Waverley, producing a thrilling six-run boilover. Putting up a modest 132 total, the Hills’ bowlers went to work on the Roos’ batting order with Sese Bau, Tyrell Panditharatne and Assadollah Vala bagging two wickets apiece to strike uncertainty into the finals-bound outfit. However, it was the handiwork of captain Blaize Bainbridge that proved the match-winner, bowling and catching Tommy Rex to halt one last Mt Waverley charge at victory. The Hills may have finished the season in 14th – but knocking over the Roos (who now finish fifth – a mere six points behind Brunswick) is one they’ll remember.
PRESTON ON TOP
It wasn’t the perfect season but it wasn’t far off. Preston finished its VSDCA North-East season undefeated and ended Kew’s premiership defence with a four-wicket win at Victoria Park on Saturday. With the minor premiership already wrapped up, Preston has a double chance heading into finals. Kew looked threatening as Luke Adams made a fine 71. However, he was the only bat to reach 20 and Kew was held to 9-164. Usually, the main man with the bat, Bullants skipper Vaib Deshpande excelled with the ball, claiming 6-32. Preston’s chase got off to a wobbly start, falling to 3-70 before Swapnil Salvi (44) and James Wigginton (41) put the visitors in the box seat. With just 28 runs needed Michael Letson removed both to trigger a 3-9 collapse but Liam Ingram (16 not out) and Kyle Walsh (8 not out) finished the job. Letson finished with 4-27 to be Kew’s best bowler.
NOBLE SEALS SECOND
There was to be no barnstorming finish for Croydon as it entered the weekend with the slightest chance of booking a finals berth, as Noble Park’s class shone in a seven-wicket victory. Reigning Val Holten medallist Sahan Perera put on another clinic with an unbeaten 74 runs, while Janaka Liyanabaldage (71) wasn’t far behind as the visitors cruised to 3-166, topping the Cockies’ 9-163. The Bulls finish the home-and-away season three points clear in second, while Croydon ends its campaign in ninth.
STRATHMORE FINISHES ON A HIGH
Strathmore has wrapped up its VSDCA North-East campaign with a thumping win over Donvale at Donvale Reserve on Saturday. Mores skipper Chris Williams’ 80 – his first half-century of the season – powered his team to a dominant 175-run victory. Williams and Darcy Cotter (60) put on a 101-run opening stand to set the foundation for Strathmore’s 5-256. In response, Donvale was never in the hunt. Will Lee had the hosts 3-31 and was on a hat-trick early before finishing with ridiculous figures of 3-9. Harshan Yogendra chipped in with the even more impressive haul of 3-3 as Donvale lost it’s final six wickets for five runs, skittled for 81. Skipper Jade Bardwell top-scored with 25.
SO DOES BAYSIE
Both combatants may have been out of finals contention – but it certainly didn’t seem that way as Bayswater fought out a nail-biting one-run win over Balwyn. A lowly 126 total was successfully defended by the Baysie bowling attack, with Michael Topp, Tim Emmett, Jakey Pietz and Zac Hayes collecting two wickets each to snuff out Balwyn’s hopes of a final-round victory. Fittingly, Topp capped off a remarkable home-and-away season with the winning wicket, claiming Matthew Richings and ending Balwyn’s run on 125. Bayswater finishes the season in eighth with seven wins, while Balwyn ends in 13th and three victories.
SNOWDOGS DO IT FOR DAVIS
As coach Luke Davis celebrated his record-breaking 247th First XI appearance, St Bernard’s claimed a hard-fought six-wicket win over Ivanhoe at Murphy Oval. After Ivanhoe had reached 80 without loss, it was Davis who provided the all-important breakthrough. First he removed Rishabh Nagpal for 33 and then Saints skipper Henry Tyler shortly after for 46. Ivanhoe posted 7-227 as Alvin Simon (38), Alex Pannell (35) and Brad Loveluck (32 not out) made key contributions. Davis was the only Snowdogs bowler with multiple wickets, claiming 2-54 from nine overs. St Bernard’s lost captain Daniel O’Connell in the first over of the chase but Josh Lawrenson (45) steadied the ship. Jevon Kett’s 68 helped turn the game before Nish Perera (40 not out) and Caleb Carson (39 not out) guided the Snowdogs home with five overs to spare.
WICKS EASE INTO FINALS
Brunswick has warmed up for a potentially sudden-death VSDCA North-East final with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Box Hill. It took the Wicks just 23 overs to track down the Mustangs’ 74 all out at Gillon Oval on Saturday. After missing out in recent weeks it was finally Louis Cameron’s turn to feast on opposition bats and he took full advantage, finishing with 5-19 from his nine overs. Box Hill No.9 Jack Sheehan was his team’s top-scorer with 18. The simple-looking chase started poorly for Brunswick as Ben Rowles fell for a duck. However, Jackson Cooper continued his excellent form with 35 not out, with support from Greg Holmes (18) and skipper Simon Hill (16 not out). The win sees the Wicks finish fourth and sets up a clash with third-placed St Bernard’s.
They’ll be talking about this night for years
TALKING POINTS: Preston’s win over South Melbourne will live long in the memory, but does it spell trouble for Hellas, and there were plenty more highlights across the NPL and VPL.
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