Ivanhoe wins through to VSDCA T20 grand final as young quick fires

After heartbreak on Saturday, Ivanhoe responded perfectly to win through to the VSDCA T20 grand final – with a little bit of help from a rising Victoria star.

Jonathan Kuch celebrates a wicket for Ivanhoe. Picture: Josh Chadwick

From weekend heartbreak to ecstasy, it’s been a roller-coaster five days for Ivanhoe.

The Saints snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on Saturday, losing 3-0 to fall two runs short of victory against VSDCA power Werribee.

However, bounced back superbly on Tuesday night, charging to a seven-wicket win over Brunswick in the Subbies’ T20 semi-final.

The Wicks were dismissed for 111 after electing to bat first and Ivanhoe got the job done with more than two overs to spare at Ivanhoe Park.

Promising 17-year-old paceman Will Hanlon impressed, taking 4-16, one of seven players under 21 in the XI.

Carlton Premier Cricket wicketkeeper Jai Lemire. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Former Fitzroy Doncaster Premier bat Arjun Dhull then fired with the bat, smashing 66 not out from 55 balls, to lead the Saints home.

In-form Carlton young gun Jai Lemire guest starred for the home team and surprisingly opened the bowling.

Saints coach Henry Tyler said the team had been looking forward to the mid-week opportunity and now a grand final against North-West group ladder-leader Spotswood.

“From a bit of heartbreak to come through, the club was a really happy place last night, which is fantastic,” Tyler said.

“Having a really good run in the T20, people have been looking forward to it and put the Saturday stuff aside.

“We’ve got (Spotswood) on Sunday as well so we’ll have a good look at them and maybe try to hide some of our cards.

“It’s already been talked about last night that hopefully we’re getting a little bit of respect back from the Subbies community and to go up against Spotty, we’re really looking forward to it.”

Lemire, the Blues and Victoria Second XI wicketkeeper, finishing with 0-23 off three overs, got a run-out, took a catch and scored 13 from 16 balls.

A junior at northern rival Plenty Valley, Lemire played in the quarter-final win over Balwyn (2-28 & 42) and coached the Saints’ Craig Shield squad this season.

“To have Jai, who’s been in amazing form himself, we’ve got three or four really young kids and to play with him is a real highlight,” Tyler said.

“Jai and I go way back through the pathway stuff, I’ve done a bit of coaching with him and he ran our Craig Shield program this year.

“He’s got a hidden (bowling) talent Jai, I think he’s under-rated and our wicketkeeper (Mark Donegan), his gloves are awesome.

“Jai had a run-out from the boundary so he can do whatever you want, he’s a wizard, so we get an extra gun fielder and someone who can roll the fingers over it.”

Meanwhile, Hanlon is one of the leading wicket-takers in the AGSV competition and showed his potential with an economic spell.

Dhull then took charge with the bat, hitting five boundaries and a six, and combining with Donegan (15 not out) to finish the job.

“Will is an Ivanhoe Grammar boy … he’s a real prodigy for us and will go onto higher things next year – and can bat a bit as well,” Tyler said.

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“We don’t see him as often as we’d like because he’s off with his school commitments but he’s one who’s flying under the pathway radar and hopefully gets some acknowledgment in the next few seasons.

“Arjun, his leadership, that’s one big thing and Ivanhoe has been a pretty tough wicket for a batter to live on this year.

“The scores he’s produced don’t show the impact he’s had, for him to be averaging more than 100 in the T20s and a couple of not outs shows the young kids how its done.”

In the other game, Spotswood claimed a six-wicket win over eastern club Mt Waverley as Jarrod Martignago hit 60 from 54 balls.