Kew secures place in VSDCA grand final with win against Brunswick
Kew is into the VSDCA North-West group grand final but the club’s physios will be working over time to get several star players fully fit for the decider.
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Kew is one win away from completing the perfect season after edging Brunswick in a tense semi-final on Saturday.
The minor premier secured a 26-run victory at Victoria Park and will face Werribee in the VSDCA North-West group decider.
It will be Kew’s first grand final since the last North-West rotation in 2017-18 when they were defeated by Williamstown.
However, several players are racing the clock to be fully fit for the grand final.
John Hastings didn’t bowl on the weekend after injuring his hamstring in the qualifying final win over Williamstown but is expected to be ready with another week of recovery.
Leading run-scorer Will Sheridan appeared to strain a groin while bowling after smashing a critical 55 with the bat.
Andrew Chalkley was also limited as he deals with a hip complaint that is expected to see him undergo off-season surgery.
However, Kew’s depth of talent ensured victory with David Wildsmith (30) and Will Sist (3-23) playing critical roles with bat and ball.
Kew captain-coach Chris Weeks was pleased with the spread of contributions in such a critical match.
“I’m proud of all the boys … that was a good game of cricket, credit to Brunswick they could have very easily been on the other side of the result today,” he said.
“At the end of the day we’ve prided ourselves on everyone playing our role and that’s what makes us so good, we’re so even.
“(Sheridan) will be right, he’s the most weathered bloke I’ve ever played with and Hasto is looking pretty good to bowl next week as well, which is really important.”
Sheridan got Kew off to a fast-start with his second half-century of the season taking him to 684 runs for the campaign.
Wildsmith then held the innings together at the death as Kew reached 8-191.
“That’s what Wildy does, he’s one of the most under-rated players in the competition, batting at No.5 is perfect for him to put the icing on the cake,” Weeks said.
Having held the high-powered Kew line-up in check, Brunswick fancied their chances of causing an upset.
Clint McKay was promoted to open the batting and hit a quick-fire 22 in an enthralling battle with Kew paceman Tom Chalkley (3-47).
McKay hit a pair of fours and a six in consecutive balls in Chalkey’s first over but picked out Jacob de Paiva at deep mid-wicket the following over.
Wicks captain Liam Murphy almost single-handedly got his team over the line with a defiant knock of 74.
A 58-run seventh-wicket partnership with David McKay looked to have the underdogs on track before McKay skied one on 26 and when Murphy fell the Wicks hopes were over.
Werribee secured its place in the grand final with a thrilling eight-run win over Plenty Valley.
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Kew secured a 56-run victory over the Tigers at Victoria Park in Round 6 thanks to a century from Sheridan and Alastair Burge’s 5-46.
Weeks said if his team showed up with the right mentality then he was confident of victory.
“Turn up and play our best cricket, I think we’ve shown if we can do that this year then we’ve beaten everyone in the comp,” he said.
“Obviously it’s a different challenge, a grand final brings a different challenge, and I’m pumped to be there.”
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