Deer Park earns promotion to Senior Division for first time with undefeated season
Deer Park completed the perfect season on Sunday, winning the VTCA Division 1 premiership and earning promotion to Senior Division for the first time.
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A perfect season has catapulted Deer Park into VTCA Senior Division for the first time.
The Lions completed an undefeated premiership season on Sunday when they wrapped up a 2-0 Division 1 grand final series win over St Francis de Sales at John McLeod Reserve.
An 18-run win on Saturday was followed by a five-wicket victory on Sunday to secure the club’s second VTCA title after its Division 2 flag in 2017-18.
Angelo Emmanuel was awarded the grand final medal after match-winning performances across the weekend, hitting 83 and 66 not out.
Deer Park coach Mick Andriadis couldn’t have been prouder of his team.
“I was lucky enough to be appointed coach and when I saw the talent at training I set the bar really high,” he said.
“To win the premiership is a fantastic achievement by everyone, St Francis is a formidable opponent, well led by Matty Costello and Aaron Maynard.
“Under SK’s (Stephen Krstevski) presidency, Deer Park started in Division 5 and now we’re in Senior Division – so full credit to SK and his guys.
“We’ve slowed worked our way up the grades and after finishing on top last season and losing the semi, it hurt a bit, they took a bit of pain into this season.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better season, not losing a game in 40-over cricket.”
After winning the toss and opted to bat, Emmanuel’s 83 off 121 balls set the platform for Deer Park’s daunting 201 with Roshon Primus added 32 and Nilochana Perera 31 (including three sixes).
Aaron Maynard threatened to steal the game but when he fell to Lions skipper Ricky Suvada for 88 St Francis de Sales’ chase fell short at 183.
Suvada finished with 3-34.
In Game 2, there would be no repeat heroics from Maynard removed for a golden duck by Primus – a wicket Andriadis believed won the game.
The West Indian finished with 4-32 and Deer Park chased down 135 to spark victory celebrations.
“That psychological advantage of getting that 200 score was really important in the first game,” Andriadis said.
“While Maynard was in they were always a chance but Ricky stepped up when he needed to with the big wicket and they fell about 20 short.
“In the second game, it was some brilliant bowling by our boys.
“Our star West Indian recruit Roshon getting Maynard out first ball with an unplayable delivery was the catalyst.
“Then our young 15-year-old Lachie Fitzgerald chimes in with some of his best bowling for the year, for a 15-year-old to do that in a grand final was just brilliant.”
Andriadis paid tribute to his captain and vice-captain’s leadership throughout the season but particularly during finals.
“Angelo, or Denzel as he’s known at the club, batted for the majority of the weekend.
“He’s made 150 runs across the two days, contributed in every game and had his best year.
“Ricky’s last month has been terrific, his bowling in the last few games has been incredible, and his leadership has gone to a new level.”
Deer Park now prepares for its maiden Senior Division campaign.
It will look to the likes of leading run-scorers Hashan Wanasekara (664 runs at 47.43), Emmanuel (570 runs at 47.50) and wicketkeeper Mohammed Alfar (324 runs) to lead the charge.
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Meanwhile, Yohan Kumara picked up 31 wickets at an average of 12.35 and leads a formidable attack of Perera (20 wickets), Fitzgerald (17), Suvada (17) and Primus (14).
Andriadis is confident with a little bit of recruiting the club can challenge the best teams in the competition.
“If we can recruit well I’d expect us to be finals contenders,” he said.
“If not I’d still expect that, I wouldn’t hold anything against this group and we’ll be doing our best to finish in the top four.”
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