Damiano puts the heat on Brighton bowling attack

A disappointed Brighton captain Ricky Damiano says his bowlers must lift in the Sub-District qualifying final at Malvern.

Brighton opener Charith Cooray watches the new ball closely on Saturday.

Ricky Damiano didn’t duck from the potential damage of a final-round defeat.

The Brighton captain admitted his team’s loss to Malvern at the Malvern City Oval was a heavy blow going into this Saturday’s south-east section qualifying finals.

Barring upset results elsewhere, the winner of the third-versus-fourth Malvern and Brighton match was to be rewarded with a home qualifying final, and the Tonners rattled up 6-217 to put themselves in an imposing position.

But the Roosters ran down the target on the back of Glen Parker’s unbeaten 85.

They finished third, Brighton finished fourth and the teams will return to the Malvern ground this Saturday, the stakes even higher.

In the other finals matches minor premier Oakleigh will welcome Box Hill and Caulfield will host Ormond.

Damiano said he was feeling satisfied after his team went past 200 – opener Charith Cooray crafted 75 off 105 balls and No 4 Rob Salerni cracked 63 not out off 51 deliveries, with 3 sixes – but Malvern replied with 3-218, achieving victory in the 39th over.

Young Malvern paceman Hamish McIntyre goes at Brighton. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Parker’s 85 came off only 75 balls and included 3 sixes and 8 fours.

“We bowled extremely poorly,’’ Damiano said.

“We couldn’t bowl four balls an over in the right spot, let alone six. Every time we built any sort of pressure we released it.

“It was our worst bowling display of the year. Our bowling hasn’t been great all year, to be honest. They (Malvern) are a decent batting side but we just gave them too many opportunities.

“As I said to the guys after the game, we’ve got set plans and if you can’t stick to them we might have to bring other blokes in. I haven’t decided what the team will be next week. But there will definitely be a couple of changes.’’

He said his team made 30 more than he expected on a “challenging wicket’’.

Damiano himself got 32 before falling LBW to former Test man Michael Beer, who collected 4-41 from his eight overs.

Damiano played a half-sweep to Beer’s second delivery and the ball floated to mid-wicket, where it was put down.

Beer tossed his head back in disappointment but he eventually picked up the Tonners champion LBW as he attempted a sweep.

Damiano called Parker a “quality player’’, a “really smart cricketer’’ and praised his innings.

Alex Ross lets one got for Malvern. Picture: Valeriu Campan

As for missing out on a home final, the skipper said: “Oh, it’s huge.

“We play our ground really well … we haven’t lost there this season … so it’s a huge blow for us, which is why were upset after the game. The Malvern City Oval, I don’t think the ground suits us at all, being a small ground.

“But we can definitely turn it around. Our batting’s fine. If we can bowl better – and I’m expecting us to – we’re a big chance.’’

Caulfield had to dig deep to see off a persistent Elsternwick in what skipper Jacob Thorne thought was a good lead-in to the finals.

Middle-order man Aaron Fetter contributed a valuable 41 from 62 balls to help the Fielders to 9-159, and they restricted Elsty to 4-153.

Wicks captain Cam Christensen led the chase with 48 not out (and finished his season with a commendable 394 runs at 49.3).

“It was pretty tight. To win a game when the opposition is only four down is a good effort,’’ Thorne said.

“We weren’t able to get a lot of wickets but we kept it tight enough to win it.’’

He said Fetter had played a good innings and had adapted to the one-day format this season.

“He held the middle-order together. He was really good. He’s had limited opportunities this season but he’s done well when he’s had them,’’ Thorne noted.

“Having the 40-over stuff, it’s made him evolve his game. He’s developed a couple of new shots which he wouldn’t have played in the past. You would have said at the start of the season that it probably wasn’t going to be his preferred format but he’s changed with it.

“We wouldn’t have seen him hit a six. But he hit one last week and he hit one on Saturday. Some good signs for him, for sure.’’

Cocking an eye on Saturday, Thorne said he had a lot of respect for Ormond, noting its strength in bowling.

The Monders suffered a surprising final-round loss to Noble Park at the Pat Wright Senior Oval.

The Parkers bowled out the visitors for 153 and scooted to 3-155 in reply, with former Sri Lankan first-class batsman Janaka Liyanabadalge easing to 82 not out off 76 balls, with 4 sixes.

“They’re a good side, Ormond, a good bowling side, particularly with ‘Birdy’ (Rodney Bird), who probably over the last six or seven years has been the premier quick in the comp, I would suggest,’’ Thorne said.

“Blade Baxter’s a good bowler. Others have chipped in and got good numbers, and they’ve got some pretty handy players with the stick as well.’’

Oakleigh stitched up the minor premiership by defeating Balwyn, and in the qualifying final will meet Box Hill, which finished sixth.

Geoffrey Latham, the sixth bowler used by Oakleigh, took 4-8 off 4.2 overs.

Box Hill coach Ryan Webster (55) hit his third half-century of the season as his side proved too strong for Endeavour Hills in the final round.

VSDCA south-east section qualifying finals

1st XI: Oakleigh (1) v Box Hill (6) at DW Nicoll Reserve, Caulfield (2) v Ormond (5) at Caulfield Park, Malvern (3) v Brighton (4) at Malvern Cricket Ground.

2nd XI: Oakleigh (1) v Malvern (6) at WA Scammell Reserve, Brighton (2) v Ormond (5) Brighton Beach Oval, Bayswater (3) v Croydon (4) Bayswater Oval

3rd XI: Oakleigh (1) v Caulfield (6) at Caulfield Park No. 1 Oval,

Mt Waverley (2) v Malvern (5) Mt Waverley Reserve, Moorabbin (3) v Ormond (4) at Moorleigh Village

4th XI: Brighton (1) v Caulfield (6) at Dendy Park No. 3 (East Ground),

Malvern (2) v Endeavour Hills (5) at TH King Reserve, Box Hill (3) v Oakleigh (4) at Box Hill City Oval.