Haig Fawkner ends Aberfeldie’s unbeaten start to VTCA Senior Division season

Chasing a maiden VTCA Senior Division finals appearances, Haig Fawkner announces itself as a title challenger by taking down Aberfeldie.

Jaspreet Bhatti batting for Haig Fawkner. Picture: George Sal

Aberfeldie’s undefeated start to the season has come to an end at the hands of premiership rival Haig Fawkner.

Haig dismantled the VTCA Senior Division ladder-leader in a comfortable six-wicket win at Clifton Park on Saturday.

The visitors chased down Abers’ 9-149 with 12 overs to spare.

Haig skipper Vaib Deshpande said it was almost the perfect game.

“It was a terrific win for the club,” he said.

Viraj Lakshitha of Haig Fawkner batting. Picture: George Sal

“We stuck to our gameplan right from the start, we bowled in the right channels and got early wickets.

“Then in the batting we made a really good start and had partnerships right to the end.

“Everything that I could hope for as a captain, that did it pretty well.”

After winning the toss and batting Aberfeldie was in early trouble as Amith Chaudhary (3-16) and Muhammad Naeem (2-26) ripped through the top order, reducing it to 5-44.

Abers coach Sohan Boralessa (32), Josh Docking (26) and Tom Godsell (25) led the counter-attack but it was too little, too late.

“Amit, as we all know, he’s a wonderful bowler, he puts it in uncomfortable zones for batsmen,” Deshpande said.

“Naeem has been working really hard in the nets and it’s very fortunate that he’s come good in a really big game.

“At the start of the game, if you’d given us 150, we’d have taken it hands down.”

Vaib Deshpande bowling for Haig Fawkner. Picture: Hamish Blair

In the chase, Haig openers Jaspreet Bhatti (29) and Shakeel Ahmad (47) got their team off to a strong start with a 56-run opening partnership.

Deshpande (24 not out) then saw his team home.

“The intent was always to stay positive and both of our openers have been in fabulous form,” Deshpande said.

“They just played their natural game rather than worrying about the scoreboard.

“We had some good partnerships at the top of the order, which always makes run chases easier.

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“It’s something I want to do – finish more games – we changed the batting order and moved myself up to ensure we had a left and right-hand combination to unsettle the bowlers.”

The win cements Haig Fawkner inside the top four, 12 points ahead of fifth-placed Druids, as it chases a maiden finals appearance in the top flight.

Aberfeldie remains on top now six points ahead of Yarraville Club with Haig a further three points back with four games remaining.

Bhatti sits second in the competition run-scorers charts with 384 runs at 48.00, while Chaudhary and Khalid Hassan are ninth and 10th overall among wicket-takers with 12 scalps.