Oakleigh claims fifth Sub-District Twenty20 title

Michael Splatt figured in his 10th premiership as Oakleigh swept past Moorabbin in the grand final at Warrawee Park.

Oakleigh players pose for a premiership pic.

It was a familiar sight in Sub-District cricket, Oakleigh walking off Warrawee Park a winner, another rival routed.

The Oaks last night claimed their fifth VSDCA Twenty20 title with a resounding victory over Moorabbin.

It was their seventh grand final appearance since the competition began in 2009-10.

There was to be no fairytale result for the Binners, who defied their position near the bottom of the First XI south-east section ladder to reach the final with four consecutive wins.

They bowled with discipline and fielded with energy to hold the Oaks to 7-125.

But they batted poorly and were dismissed for 61.

The Oaks sing the song.

Opener Duran Murrian (two) twice slipped on the wicket and was run out in the third over, and from there the Binners never gained firm footing in the run chase.

Their marquee player, Englishman Ian Cockbain, started brightly but on 13 he clipped Alexander Jones straight to young James Ritchie at deep mid-wicket.

Big hitting Luke Ashen’s dismissal was just as disappointing, the left-hander poking a lollipop catch to cover off Oakleigh left-arm spinner Jack Blyth. He was out for two and the Binners were 4-20.

Only a couple of merry blows from Damsara Menuwara (17) took them past 50. In fast-fading light, the end came in the 16th over when Blyth lit up the zing-bails by bowling Christin Shaiju for one.

Ryan and Blake Pearson.

He finished with 3-10 off 3.1 overs, and left-arm quickie Jones took 3-15 off three.

Allrounder Michael Splatt didn’t take a wicket with his two overs, but he did contribute 33 with the bat, the best in an Oakleigh card thick with scores in the teens.

Ryan Pearson (12), Blake Pearson (17), Andrew Humphries (13) and Blyth (18) got away but never went far.

Coach Brendan McGuinness muscled 18 not out off 12 balls in the late overs and, although he’s not exactly Oakleigh Plate material, he did noticeably pick up the running between wickets when he went out there.

The Moorabbin slowies kept a clamp on the Oaks, particularly 15-year-old Caleb Candappa, who pocketed 2-23 from his four overs, picking up Ryan Pearson and Blyth.

Oakleigh and Subbies great Jarrod Travaglia was among the spectators impressed by the bubbly little leggie.

Offie Renaldi Dias had 0-18 off his four overs.

Player of the finals Andrew Humphries.

Blake Pearson, a VFL premiership player with Port Melbourne in 2017, captained the Oakleigh team, which included Ritchie, Zac Raymond and Matt Bergen as the Under 21 players.

It was their first sample of premiership success for the Oaks.

For Splatt, it was his 10th flag: he’s played in all five of the T20 victories, as well as five First XI pennants.

“Five day and five night,’’ Oakleigh stalwart Trent Shields noted, putting Splatt in the same bracket as Hawthorn football greats Gary Ayres and Dermott Brereton.

Richmond Premier Cricket allrounder Humphries, Oakleigh’s guest player, was judged the player of the finals series.

VSDCA president Phil O’Meara said the Oaks were an outstanding club on and off the ground and deserved every bit of their success.