Greenvale Kangaroos look to make immediate return to VTCA Division 1
After a disastrous 2019-20 ended in relegation, Greenvale Kangaroos have claimed the VTCA Division 2 minor premiership and are eyeing a bounce back promotion.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Greenvale Kangaroos are eyeing promotion to VTCA Division 1 after wrapping up the McNamara Shield minor premiership on Saturday.
It’s a strong response after being relegated as part of the VTCA’s competition restructure during the off-season.
The Kangaroos won just two games in 2019-20 but are now just three games away from bouncing straight back up after a 10-win, one-loss home-and-away season.
Greenvale Premier Cricket star Kyle Adams stepped back to lead the VTCA club this season and was proud of the progress made across the board.
“Across the club, the twos finished second, the thirds finished top, the fours finished third and won the grand final and the fifth were the one side that struggled,” he said.
“It’s good to have a bit of success and wins this year, it makes everything a lot happier.
“The most pleasing thing has been the development from the start of the year throughout the club, it’s reward for all the work everyone’s done.”
The Kangaroos blitzed premiership rivals Newport-Digman by six wickets in a comprehensive display at Bryan Martyn Oval to lock in top spot.
After being sent in the Bulls were skittled for just 51 as Jacob Thompson ran riot to claim 5-14, while Matt Kent took 3-4.
Despite a top-order collapse, Greenvale chased down the target in 13.5 overs with Matthew Lucente scoring 14.
“We’ve had some good performances but we still haven’t had a complete performance,” Adams said.
“The weekend was probably as close to the best we’ve bowled and fielded but we still lost a couple of wickets chasing 50.
“I think Newport just had one of those days – we got on a roll and they couldn’t stop it – and if we were to play them again I think it would be a different game.
“If we both make it to the grand final I certainly wouldn’t expect to roll through them for 50 again.”
Altona North awaits in the semi-final with Greenvale claiming both clashes this season – a 25-run victory in Round 4 and three-wicket victory just a fortnight ago.
VSDCA: PLENTY VALLEY LOCKS IN HOME FINAL
LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEW HERE
NWMCA: TULLA DROP APPEAL, MAINTAIN INNOCENCE
“We’re not satisfied with what we’ve done so far, we know the next couple of weeks is massive,” Adams said.
“Winning a flag doesn’t judge the season as a whole, it’s still about enjoying the cricket and doing what we can control.”
Jon Kent led the Kangaroos’ run-scoring with 308 – fifth best in Division 2 – at an average of 34.22.
Matthew Kent was the club’s leading wicket-taker with 26 scalps, just ahead of Jacob Thompson’s 25, with the pair second and third overall.
VTCA DIVISION 2 SEMI FINALS
Saturday, March 13
Greenvale Kangaroos v Altona North @ Greenvale Reserve
Sydenham-Hillside v Newport-Digman @ Hillside Recreation Reserve
Premier Cricket: Men’s and women’s Team of the Week
Young guns lit up Victorian Premier Cricket in men’s and women’s sections. We’ve named our teams of the week. SEE THEM
Star leg-spinner ‘should be starting to be looked at’
Carlton all-rounder Connor Rutland has tipped praise on the Blues’ star leg-spinner, saying Saturday’s match winning spell was further proof he has what it takes at a higher level.