Preston wins through to first VSDCA First XI grand final since 2002-03
Just three years ago Preston won four games, this weekend the Bullants will play off in a VSDCA grand final for the first time since 2002-03, capping a remarkable turnaround.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Preston is through to its first Subbies grand final since 2002-03.
The Bullants are looking to break a 22-year VSDCA First XI premiership drought when they host Noble Park at Preston City Oval on Saturday and Sunday.
A comfortable seven-wicket win over Brunswick on the weekend broke the club’s wait for a shot at a flag.
Captain Vaib Deshpande produced an outstanding all-round performance, first snaring 6-52 before hitting 79 not out, to guide his club to victory.
Despite Ben Rowles superb century – 102 not out from 211 deliveries – the Wicks were restricted to 9-197 from their 80 overs with Preston chasing it down in 52.
Bullants coach Amit Chaudhary said the scores belied a good batting wicket and both teams had bowled extremely well.
“The wicket was a very good batting wicket and at tea (on Saturday) they were 2-70 and looked in total control,” Chaudhary said.
“When they lost the third wicket, Simon Hill made a quick-fire 30 but lucky for us he got out and it opened the door, and Vaib bowled 22 overs on the trot.
“We kept rotating bowlers from the other end and kept it tight and Vaib got the six wickets.
“(On Sunday) Shak (Ahmed) and Vaib batted superbly but credit to Brunswick, the two opening bowlers Cameron and Houghton they bowled a really spell.
“You’ve got to be lucky too, nicks didn’t go to hand and when one did, it was dropped.
“Our other opener, Greg (Maratos), he only made nine but he hung around for 40 minutes and saw the new ball off.
“Then once the change bowlers came the hard work paid off.”
Shakeel Ahmed set the platform for Preston’s chase, scoring 85 from 125 balls, and combining with Deshpande for a match-winning 132-run second-wicket stand.
Deshpande’s performance takes him to 546 runs at 68.25 and 30 wickets at 9.47, second and first respectively at the club.
Adding injury to insult for Brunswick, Hill suffered a horror finger injury with that dropped catch, which required surgery last night.
Dan Houghton was the pick of the bowlers for the Wicks, finishing with 2-49 to take his season tally to 39 wickets.
Preston will now look ahead to a grand final date with Noble Park.
The Bullants triumphed by six wickets in their last encounter at Preston City Oval in Round 2, a heart-stopping final-ball thriller.
The Bulls posted 6-258 thanks to Sahan Perera’s 82 not out before Preston chased it down, Greg Maratos leading the way with 88 before Syed Shah (62 not out off 61) and Marcus Murphy (39 not out off 16) stormed home.
“It’s been a long time and Noble Park is a very good team,” Chaudhary said.
“They’re very similar to Preston in a lot of aspects, good bats, a good all-round team, they’ve got some superstars in all areas.
“Last time we played them it could have gone either way, it was a last-ball win for us and 500 runs were scored in a one-dayer.
“We need to respect them but we need to keep doing what we’ve been doing and hopefully the result takes care of itself.”
Meanwhile, it may have been a rousing semi-final victory for Noble Park – but the match will be long remembered for the feat of reigning Val Holten medallist Sahan Perera.
NAMED: LEADER’S VSDCA GROUP TEAMS OF THE YEAR
LEADER: GET YOUR SUBBIES CRICKET NEWS HERE
VTCA: MATCH-WINNING PERFORMANCES THAT DELIVERED FLAGS
The star all-rounder smashed the Subbies all-time single season runs record (Mick Allen’s 957) on the way to becoming the first battter to crack 1000.
The Sri Lankan booked Noble’s place in the North-East grand final with his fourth century of the season, driving 105 of his side’s 10-235 total to sink St Bernards (9-160) by 75 runs.
The then took a team-leading 4-42 off 18 overs.
He wasn’t the only standout at the crease, with Nilo Perara peeling off 76 from 118 balls.
MPCA champion to play 400th First XI game in grand final
Nick Christides talks about becoming the MPCA’s first 400-game First XI player, his trademark dashing approach to batting and the hurt behind his move from Delacombe Park to Pines.
Watch replays: Falcons soar as star shooter proves unstoppable
City West Falcons standout shooter Jane Cook continues to set the league on fire with her shooting, proving her side unbeatable in the competition so far. Watch the replays.