Footscray United claims second straight VTCA premiership to launch up grades

Footscray United continued its extraordinary rise up the VTCA grades with a Division 2 premiership giving the club back-to-back titles.

Footscray United continued its incredible rise up the VTCA ranks on Sunday with the Division 2 premiership.

The 36-run victory over St Andrews Pascoe Vale at Scovell Reserve is the Bulldogs’ second consecutive flag and promotion, earning the club a return to Division 1 for the first time since 2016-17.

Three straight relegations, suffered between 2016-17 and 2018-19, have now been erased in an emphatic response.

Bulldogs captain Shafraz Mohamed said it was a proud moment for the club.

“The club has been around for 89 years and only won seven (premierships), including these two, which is pretty special,” he said.

“I’m proud of the boys, we’re a very talented team but it’s not a one-man or two-man show, someone has put their hand up in every game, which makes it easier for me to captain.”

Man of the match Praveen Warnakulasuriya certainly put his hand up with 75 to help United post a formidable 9-248.

Warnakulasuriya struggled in the semi-final, making just one against West Newport, but returned to form at the perfect time with his second highest score of the season.

“Praveen has been in good form all year but always found an unfortunate way to get out,” Mohamed said.

“He made a fantastic century against Greenvale and I never doubted he would turn up, which he did and it was a very good innings.”

Ashen Abeykoon (36) made invaluable late-order runs to ensure his team batted out its 80 overs on Saturday.

Lahiru Kumara (4-44), Frank Hoang (3-25) and Mohamed (3-50) then restricted St Andrews to 212 all out to clinch victory on Sunday.

Mohamed admitted there was a little bit of worry when St Andrews pair Pawan Wickramasinghe (87) and captain Isuru Okandage (37) put on an 89-run partnership to take their team to 3-174.

Frank Hoang in action for Footscray United.

Amila Witharana on the run for Footscray United.

However, the Dogs skipper made the critical breakthrough by bowling Wickramasinghe, triggering a 7-38 collapse.

“I thought we had enough runs but we were in a bit of a panic when they were 3-170-odd,” Mohamed said.

“We brought spin on, took the pace off, and it paid off and when we got (Wickramasinghe) out that was it.

“He and the captain (Okandage), they put on the good partnership.

“I came on after the drinks break and we got him out and then the captain in the next over and another wicket straight away as well to get the momentum back.

“I said to the boys ‘don’t try and attack, let’s bowl dots and build the pressure up’ and they needed about five an over and started to play shots when they weren’t on.”

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Hoang had earlier removed St Andrews’ top three batters before Kumara wrapped up the tail, taking the final three wickets.

Malaka Wasan was St Andrews Pascoe Vale’s best with the ball, collecting 3-48.

The victory follows United’s 2-1 Division 3 grand final series win over Grand United last season and promotion from Division 4 in 2020-21 as part of a league restructure.

Williamstown CYMS claimed the Division 2 Second XI premiership with a 117-run win over Altona Roosters.