Haig Fawkner claims VTCA T20 crown over Airport West St Christopher’s

Haig Fawkner eased the pain of missing Senior Division finals with a thrilling victory in the VTCA T20 grand final on Sunday, defeating Airport West St Christopher’s.

Haig Fawkner celebrates its VTCA T20 premiership. Picture: Haig Fawkner CC

A Viraj Lakshitha fireworks show inspired Haig Fawkner to victory in the VTCA T20 grand final on Sunday.

Lakshitha’s whirlwind 15-ball 41 proved the difference as Haig claimed the first silverware of the VTCA season by nine runs over Division 1 outfit Airport West St Christopher’s.

The Eagles’ former Big Bash League player Daniel Salpietro nearly won the game single-handedly with 74 runs and three wickets but it wasn’t enough at Etzel St Reserve.

Haig great Amit Chaudhary was proud of his club’s achievement.

“This is the third premiership for me since coming back in 2014-15,” he said.

Haig Fawkner’s Amit Chaudhary kisses the VTCA T20 trophy. Picture: Haig Fawkner CC

“Where the club was 10 years ago – easy beats – clubs used to look at Haig Fawkner and say lets take full points, to where we are today I’m very proud.

“Our president John Gioupas has down a tremendous amount of work week in, week out.”

Haig Fawkner won the toss but made a slow start to its innings as Salpietro conceded just one run in the first over and Indika Mugunumalwattaga bowled a maiden in the fifth.

However, Warren Parker (36) and Jaspreet Bhatti (24) soon found their range and captain Faizan Amin added 27 before Lakshitha caught fire.

“We were only 25 runs in the first five overs, we started really slowly, but the good thing was we didn’t lose any wickets,” Chaudhary said.

“On side of the ground was hardly a 45m boundary, so most of the scoring happened on that side.

“Warren Parker was crucial, he made 36 and gave us a really good start, but I think the difference in the game was Viraj, he hit 22 runs in the 18th over.

“It was a really healthy total, we knew it would take something special from them to lose from there.”

Salpietro anchored Airport West St Christopher’s chase as wickets fell around him before being run out in the most unluckiest of ways.

VTCA: DOUTTA STARS COMPLETE SENIOR DIVISION PUZZLE

LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEWS HERE

NWMCA: SEMI-FINAL ABANDONED AFTER UGLY BRAWL

“They kept losing wickets so all the pressure was on Dan but he batted really well,” Chaudhary said.

“He tried to defend one, it hit his foot and bounced back to the keeper, Dan didn’t realise, he was out of his crease, and the keeper took the bails off. It was very lucky for us.”

Riley Vernon added 20 and Scott Woolcock 17 but the Eagles needed 18 runs from the final over and came up short.

It’s solace for Haig Fawkner who look set to finish fifth for the second season in a row in Senior Division while Airport West St Christopher’s have secured a semi-final in Division 1 and are among the premiership favourites.