How VTCA’s controversial rule helped put Craigieburn in grand final

Despite having to bat on a rain-affected Saturday, Craigieburn was able to flip the script on Airport West St Christopher’s to secure a VTCA Division 1 grand final berth.

Sunny Taggar launches a ball to the fence for Craigieburn.

Craigieburn coach Chris Laffan believes the VTCA’s controversial 20-over mandate helped his team flip the script in its Division 1 semi-final victory over Airport West St Christopher’s.

Despite having to bat first on a rain-affected Saturday, the Eagles secured a 34-run win at DS Aitken Reserve on Sunday to march into their first grand final since winning the Division 2 premiership in 2016-17.

With rain forecast, the league ruled that any game that reached 20 overs would continue on Sunday or start again if the threshold wasn’t met.

Having been sent in Craigieburn were in immediate trouble at 3-13 before a change of tactics from Airport West allowed Sam Laffan and Sunny Taggar to shift the momentum.

“It’s tough, at the end of the day the VTCA put in a ruling to get as much cricket in as possible,” Chris Laffan said.

Sam Laffan in action for Craigieburn last season. Picture: Julian Smith

“We went in knowing anyone that had to bat first was going to be disadvantaged but we were lucky to be on the right end of it.

“It almost went in reverse, once Airport West had us 3-13 they tried to hussle through the overs – brought a couple of spinners on – to get to the 20-over cap.

“Sammy and Sunny are our best players of spin and were able to capitalise on that, while (AWSC bowler Dan) Salpietro would have had 2-6 after his first four.”

Laffan (57 not out) and Taggar (67) combined to rebuild Craigieburn’s innings and when rain halted play on Saturday the home team were 3-96.

The pair put on 106 runs for the fourth wicket to help the Eagles reach 8-146 in their 40 overs with Dan Salpietro claiming 4-20.

In far better batting conditions Airport West St Christopher’s openers Salpietro (10) and Riley Vernon (15) set a solid foundation before both fell to Dan English with the score 2-25.

With a slow outfield making scoring difficult Airport West St Christopher’s continued to lose wickets at critical moments with only Ned Gentile (36) offering any resistance.

English finished with 2-11 while Mick Bury (3-42) and Narinder Sharma (3-28) were Craigieburn’s best.

Sunny Taggar in action for Craigieburn.

Laffan praised his bowling unit’s discipline in keeping their rival’s powerful top order quiet.

“Our wickets probably came through Airport West’s frustration because of some great tight bowling,” he said.

“We were getting a little nervous with Salpietro and Vernon spending a lot of time at the crease but the boys did some really great work in the field.

“We felt in control throughout but we knew there were plenty of dangers, (Dinesh) Cooray looked like he was just about to get going when he got out and likewise with their captain (Jordan) Kelly, it’s a nervous time whenever he’s in.”

Craigieburn will now face Sunshine for a shot at the Division 1 crown and promotion to Senior Division for the first time in club history.

Sunshine is aiming for an incredible fourth consecutive premiership and promotion after winning the Division 4 title in 2017-18, Division 3 in 2018-19 and Division 2 in 2019-20.

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The Crows claimed the only meeting between the two teams this season, a seven-run victory at DS Aitken Oval in Round 3.

Laffan said his team was determined to make home ground advantage count.

“As much as DS Aitken has been a fortress for us this year, the two games we’ve lost were against Airport West and Sunshine,” he said.

“It was good to get the choccies against Airport West and with three games at home the boys will be keen to prove it is a fortress and reverse the result from that day.”