Ivanhoe snatches VSDCA victory over St Bernard’s on the second-last ball

Simon Heather and Rizwan Aqeel were the toast of Ivanhoe on Saturday after their heroics as the Saints pipped St Bernard’s on the second-last ball of the match.

Ivanhoe players celebrate a wicket.

Ivanhoe kept its VSDCA finals hopes alive with a thrilling last-gasp win over St Bernard’s on Saturday.

Saints’ tailender Rizwan Aqeel was the hero, hitting the winning runs from the second last ball, to secure the nail-biting one-wicket victory at Ivanhoe Park.

Needing four runs to win from the final over, Aqeel kept his composure under immense pressure.

The result lifts Ivanhoe to eighth on the North-West group ladder, nine points outside the top six, while St Bernard’s season looks over.

Saints captain-coach Sunny Fernando believes his team is capable of playing finals.

Raza Rizwan in action for Ivanhoe. Picture: Hamish Blair

“There’s another four games left so we still believe we can do that,” he said.

“We didn’t capitalise on some chances before Christmas but in the new year we’ve had three good wins.

“I’ve got confidence in my team and we’re looking forward to the challenge of making finals.”

In a rain-reduced 36-over match, St Bernard’s were sent in on a damp pitch and reached 6-115, as Chris Spinella top-scored with 37.

The Saints’ chase got off to a shaky start as they fell to 3-37 before Heather arrived at the crease.

He hit three fours in his 54-ball knock before falling in the second last over with only five runs needed.

Jason Quayle in action for Ivanhoe. Picture: Stuart Milligan

St Bernard’s captain Luke Davis struck twice in the penultimate over to get the Snowdogs back in the game but No.11 Jonathan Kuch survived and Aqeel finished the job.

“The pitch was a bit wet on one side, so the toss was crucial and I was lucky I won the toss,” Fernando said.

“There was a bit of uneven bounce so they actually batted really well to be only six down, they batted very patiently.

“It was really hard for a new batsman to come in and settle but once Simon got in he was really important for us.

“Troy Haynes hit two huge sixes and I think that was the turning point, Simon kept finding ones and twos, and we only needed five when he got out.

“Jonny Kuch had to survive two balls, which wasn’t easy, because that was the wet side (of the pitch). Two good defensive shots.

“After that Aqeel got the good side in the last over, which was lucky for us, and got the job done.”

VSDCA: WERRIBEE SCORES BEST WIN OF SUBBIES CAMPAIGN

LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEWS HERE

PREMIER: NORTHCOTE 18-YEAR-OLD STARS IN BLUES ROUT

Fernando paid tribute to the Ivanhoe Park curator who’s work ensured the game was able to go ahead where other’s didn’t.

“Credit to him, he had to come all the way from Melton,” he said.

“It was a great job because otherwise we cancel the game and share the points.”

Ivanhoe will look to keep its momentum rolling when it meets Yarraville at home on Saturday.