Doutta Stars lock in VTCA Senior Division finals spot against Sunshine United

Doutta Stars’ win over Sunshine United has finalised the VTCA Senior Division top four with one round to play and now has its sights set on a bigger prize.

Patrick Willach in action for Doutta Stars. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Doutta Stars’ win over Sunshine United on Saturday confirmed the VTCA Senior Division finalists.

The Stars sealed fourth spot with a 20-run win over the ladder-leader and are now nine points clear of Haig Fawkner in fifth.

The loss saw United fall to third but they remain in the hunt for the minor premiership along with reigning premier St Albans and Strathmore.

It is Doutta Stars’ fourth straight top-four finish and fifth in six years since winning promotion to the top flight in 2014-15.

The club will hope to reverse last season’s shock semi-final defeat when it finished on top of the ladder before being upset by the Saints.

Brendan Ward in action for Doutta Stars. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Stars great Brenton Parchment said finals was an expectations at the club.

“It’s not new territory for us … the aim for us is to go one step further,” he said.

“In some ways it’s good (to have it confirmed) but the pressure is still on, you come to realise winning is a habit and we need to keep the momentum.

“We’re not going into the last game to relax before finals, there are areas of our game we need to improve and it’s about getting those things right for the big game next week.

“We know what the other teams are capable of and we know what we’re capable of, so we’ll focus on our game and what we need to do to be ready.”

Batting first at Selwyn Park, Doutta Stars lost both openers early before a match-winning 129-run partnership between Parchment and Pat Willach.

Willach scored 69 and Parchment 67 while there were key contributions from Tom Mules (36) and Brendan Ward (25) as the visitors posted 6-228.

Tom Duxson threatened to win the game off his own bat for Sunshine United, reaching 65 before falling to Robert Rutley (3-39).

Robert Rutley in action with the bat for Doutta Stars. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Parchment praised Willach’s performance but was most pleased with the spread of contributors with bat and ball.

“Pat is a very talented cricketer and hopefully he can kick on from here and realise how good he can actually be,” Parchment said.

“He’s a powerful player for us with bat and ball and even in the field.

“We don’t want to be over reliant on one person with bat or ball.

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“We’re looking for contributions all the way down the order, I think that’s what will win us a final.”

Parchment injured his shoulder while bowling but expects to be fit for the final home-and-away match of the season against Westmeadows.

“I attempted a run out and tweaked something my shoulder,” he said.

“I’m not sure what it is at the moment, I’m going to get it checked out, but I’m sure it’s nothing major.”