Kew claims VSDCA North-East premiership in tense final over Strathmore

After the pain of grand final defeat 12 months ago, Kew is celebrating its first First XI Subbies premiership in more than 20 years.

Kew celebrates it's VSDCA premiership.

Redemption.

After the devastation of last season, Kew is VSDCA North-East group premiers.

The club snapped a 21-year First XI premiership drought on Saturday with a tense 16-run win over Cinderella story Strathmore at Victoria Park.

In desperate trouble at 3-18, David Wildsmith rescued his team with a fighting 63 to be awarded with Batty Medal as best on ground in the grand final.

In his final game before retirement, John Hastings claimed 4-24 and Jacob de Paiva took 3-38 to end the Mores’ fairytale run.

Batty Medallist David Wildsmith and VSDCA's Ken Hilton.

Kew's David Wildsmith top scored with 63. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The premiership is Kew’s first since 2000-01 and third of the season following victory in the Third XI and Fourth XI.

Kew captain Chris Weeks was in awe of his team’s fighting spirit.

“It’s a bit surreal, we’ve been building to this for a long time, so it’s a bit of a relief,” he said.

“I couldn’t have been prouder of the boys, we were in a bit of trouble and Wildy played another great innings.

“He’s such a special player, he was well and truly deserving of the medal today.

“With the ball, everyone contributed, we were terrible in the field but we found a way.

“When you play in big games like that, sometimes it’s just about finding a way and we did that.”

Strathmore spearhead Chanaka Welegedara ripped through Kew’s top order, removing Weeks and Matt Brown for just one, and when Mores skipper John Bassi bowled Andrew Chalkley the red-hot favourites were 3-18.

Strathmore’s Luke Bassi celebrates a wicket for Strathmore. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Strathmore bowler Sam Duggan. Picture: Andy Brownbill

However, Wildsmith steadied the ship with James Clark (15) before Tom Chalkley (47 not out) and Liam Powell (15) combined for a 48-run seventh-wicket partnership to lift Kew to 7-177.

In the chase, Hastings struck second ball as Strathmore coach Omar Phillips was controversially adjudged lbw.

Phillips lingered at the crease in disbelief before departing.

Chris Williams, together with Jack Condon (18), rebuilt the innings before falling agonising short of what would have been a much-deserved half-century, trapped lbw by Jack Carroll for 49.

Lucas Kennedy (36) and Nick Sabatino (19) then looked to have the Mores on track for a grandstand finish before disaster struck.

Kennedy was run out, Sabatino and Luke Bassi out lbw and Janaka Siriwardana caught in the space of seven balls as the Mores lost 4-1.

There would be no last-wicket heroics this week as Hastings dismissed Sam Dukic is trigger Kew celebrations.

Weeks revealed he would stand down as captain and John Hastings was retiring after the match but had no doubt there was a bright future ahead.

Kew president Peter Sist and son Will.

Kew pair James Clark and David Wildsmith. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It’s a good way for me to finish (as captain),” Weeks said.

“To play in a flag with my best mates, to play in a flag in my best mate’s last game, is probably something I’ll look back on in a few years and it will sit really well and I’ll be really content.

“We’ve got a lot of new guys, a lot of fresh faces, (coach) Wayne (Myers) has been sensational and taking a lot of pressure off me.

“I’m so pumped for Jacob (de Paiva) today, he probably turned the game, and Jack Carroll, had a remarkable year with 30 wickets.

“There’s so much upside to this group, Liam Powell with the bat today – that partnership (with Tom Chalkley) is probably the difference.

“It’s been a great year for the club, the Thirds and Fourths won and we’ve topped it off today with the Ones.”

After the heartbreak of last season, Kew president Peter Sist couldn’t have been prouder of his club and paid tribute to Strathmore.

“I’m always proud of this group, I was proud of this group 12 months ago,” he said.

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“We didn’t get that chocolates (last year) and today was a little bit about redemption.

“It’s going to be a fairly big night … just unbelievable, on top of the world and so proud of the way these boys have bounced back.

“Let’s not forget about how good Strathmore were, they had a magnificent win last week, and this is their first year of Subbies cricket.

“To Alison and all the players and supporters, I understand they’ll be disappointed tonight but they should be so bloody proud of what they’ve achieved in 12 months.”