Druids win VTCA T20 title, Nathan Johnson awarded man-of-the-match medal

Druids are back on top of the VTCA T20 mountain, winning their second title with a dominant bowling display, led by skipper Nathan Johnson.

A captain’s performance from Nathan Johnson helped deliver Druids the VTCA T20 title on Sunday.

Johnson led from the front, making critical contributions with bat and ball as the Wizards beat reigning Senior Division premier Haig Fawkner by 43 runs at PEGS.

Druids’ T20 skipper was awarded the man-of-the-match medal after scoring 27 with the bat before ripping through Haig with the ball, taking 3-9.

It’s the club’s second T20 title after winning in 2018-19 and a strong finish to the season with Saturday finals all but out of reach.

Druids vice-president and opening bowler Andrew Brennan said it was a proud achievement.

“I thought we might have been a little short, especially with a good wicket and fast outfield, but we were able to get the job done with our bowling, which has been our strength all year,” he said.

“It’s a pretty good effort when you consider there’s around 60 teams that participate in the competition each year.

“We’re really pleased, we thought we were underdogs coming in but rapt to get the job done. Haig have been flying this year so it’s a great effort by our boys and we’ll celebrate.

“It’s definitely a positive that we’ll take out of this year and all remember for a long time.”

Having been sent in, Jarrod Parsons (32) and Asela Aluthge (28) got Druids off to a strong start and Johnson and Buddika Hasaranga (16) helped it post 7-132 from its 20 overs.

Nathan Johnson in action for Druids. Picture: Hamish Blair

In its third consecutive T20 final, Haig’s chase never got off the ground.

Johnson and Eamon Scott (3-21) dismantled their rivals, limiting them to just 8-89, which included nine extras.

Brennan said Johnson was the clear standout.

“He’s a very competitive person so it’s great to see him step up when the going gets tough, he’s definitely someone you want on your side,” Brennan said.

“Jarrod got us off to a flyer with the bat and then Asela and Nathan chipping in in the middle order.

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“With finals you can add another extra 20 or 30 to your total if you bat first because naturally there’s pressure on the team chasing and I think we saw that today.

“Nathan got two vital wickets early, taken in slip by Eamon Scott and then Eamon was able to get a couple of wickets himself.”

Druids remains in the Senior Division finals hunt and will need to successfully chase down Craigieburn’s 181 then hope St Albans and Sunshine United lose on Saturday.

St Albans scored 170 but has Aberfeldie 3-24 in its match, while Sunshine United will try to defend 8-148 against Keilor.