Haig Fawkner eyeing VTCA Division 1 finals run after demotion

After accepting demotion to VTCA Division 1 and fielding an almost entirely new team, Haig Fawkner has bounced back strongly and has finals in sight.

Viraj Lakshitha in action for Haig Fawkner. Picture: Hamish Blair

This season has delivered a fresh start for Haig Fawkner.

The club accepted demotion to VTCA Division 1 after its legal battle against the association and lost several key players but has responded strongly on the field.

A new-look First XI has delivered a string of impressive results and currently sits fourth in a fierce battle for a top-four finish.

Haig is locked on 30 points with Airport West St Christopher’s (third) and PEGS (fifth) and is only six points behind ladder-leader Sunshine with five games remaining.

The club’s Round 5 two-dayer against West Coburg St Andrews is even poised with Haig reaching 5-194 from 49 overs after rain interrupted day one.

Fawkner coach Chris David has been impressed with how well the team has come together after a tumultuous 12 months.

“It’s a fresh start,” David said.

“The team has gelled well, we’ve got about six new players, so there’s good signs for the club.

“We’ve got a talented bunch, there’s been a few standout performances, and the boys are pumped all the way through from the Ones down.

“A few guys left the club after what happened last year so we had to go through a recruitment process to find a few new players.

“We got a mixture of guys that have played in the VTCA as well as other competitions and we’ve made some good finds.”

Asher Warnakulasooriya is the competition’s No.1 bowler with 16 wickets at an average of 12.63, Nalin Perera (13) and Nuwan Liyanapathirana (12) are also in the top-10.

Perera is one of the leading all-rounders, also topping the club’s run-scoring with 202 at an average of 67.33 - 11th overall.

Salman Afridi is 15th overall with 189 runs at 37.80.

After its match against West Coburg, Haig’s finals credentials will be tested facing finals rivals PEGS and St Francis de Sales in the run home.

“Nalin played for Sunshine last year and Asher came from Sub-District and has been performing really well,” David said.

“I’ve been impressed by Chris Gioupas, he’s starting to show really promising signs with his bowling and got wickets (in Monday night’s T20).

“Now it’s a matter of playing one game at a time and come March, take it from there,” David said.

“The focus has always been playing finals, it’s what we did in Senior Division as well, so we’re just enjoying the game and the results will look after themselves.

“Seconds are doing well, if we win this round we’re almost locked in, the Thirds are struggling a little bit but the Fourths should be fine.”

After back-to-back T20 grand finals, Haig is continuing its strong form in the shortest format on Monday night.

The club claimed a seven-wicket win over an East Coburg team that included Northcote premier bat Jaga Koduru and Essendon’s Musa Hussain.

Chasing 109, Thilakamuni Soysa (36), Sadik de Silva (28), Salman Afridi (26 not out) and Warnakulasooriya (16 not out) got the job done in 14.3 overs.

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The victory seals Haig’s passage through to the knockout stages.

“The signs are looking good but as always we’re aware of the competition, it’s a very competitive tournament, so we’ll take it one game at a time,” David said.

“The guys love playing the shorter format of the game, it’s more entertaining I think, but our focus is still on the two-day games.”

Day two of Haig’s match against West Coburg St Andrews commences on Saturday at Mutton Reserve.