Moonee Valley celebrates new club record by demolishing Bellbridge

Moonee Valley celebrated a record-breaking achievement by demolishing VTCA Pollock Shield rivals Bellbridge; Anthony Cafari, Sameera Vithana and Shiwantha Kumara outstanding in victory.

Moonee Valley captain Jack Newman and coach Tony Gleeson. Picture: Josie Hayden

Moonee Valley was celebrating more than a commanding 313-run win over Bellbridge on Saturday.

The Valley amassed 8-466 on day one of the two-day VTCA Pollock Shield clash, breaking the club’s 49-year-old First XI record score.

Anthony Cafari was the architect of the mammoth total with an outstanding 129, while Sumit Anand (69), Sameera Vithana (67) and Shiwantha Kumara (50) all posted half-centuries.

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“The guys we passed, they were absolute jets, so for us to beat that score the boys are really proud,” club captain Jack Newman said.

“(Cafari) was the catalyst, he was involved in three partnerships of 50-plus.

“Then we made about 300 off the last 30 overs, we were able to cash in on the really strong start.”

Moonee Valley captain Jack Newman with coach Tony Gleeson. Picture: Josie Hayden

Bellbridge was on the back foot from the start at Ormond Park on Saturday.

Facing a giant chase, the visitors got off to a horror start, falling to 5-91, as Vithana (4-46) and Kumara (3-18) ripped through the top order.

Bellbridge was skittled for 153, securing the Valley a colossal win.

“The pitch was a road, there wasn’t much in it for the bowlers, so we had to be patient and hit our lines” Newman said.

“We did that perfectly. The stats don’t show it but all the bowlers were quite unlucky.

“From the start, Nathaniel Wolland was on them straight away.”

Wolland finished with figures of 0-8 from seven overs including five maidens, while fellow opening bowler Newman picked up 1-19.

Moonee Valley sits third on the Division 5 ladder but has 415 more runs than the next best club.

“We’re starting to get on a roll now … it’s easier to play when it’s not 13 degrees and raining sideways,” Newman said.