RDCA 2023-24: The players who could shape Trollope Shield premiership race

It’s finals time in the Ringwood & District Cricket Association’s top-flight. We’ve named the players who could shape the premiership race …

Lilydale’s Shifran Muthalif is enjoying another big season with bat and ball. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The final four is set.

Lilydale, Montrose, North Ringwood and Ainslie Park will duke it out for the premiership in the Ringwood & District Cricket Association’s top-flight.

We’ve named the players, in alphabetical order, who could shape the fight for the flag in the Lindsay Trollope Shield ...

Aaron Leis (North Ringwood)

One of the Bulls’ mainstays with a proven record, Leis ran second for the comp’s top individual honour last season – the Bill Dean Medal – with the keeper scooping up 12 catches this campaign alongside 299 runs (including two half-centuries), forming some nice partnerships batting at No. 3.

Brendan McGuinness (Ainslie Park)

Leads his side for runs scored this season with 347, plundering three half-centuries – two of those against finals opponents Lilydale (50) and North Ringwood (61), also pulling in 11 catches.

Cheyne van Koll (Montrose)

He was man of the match in his club’s Second XI flag win last season, following up with 18 wickets at 20.17 in the top grade this campaign. He boasts a sound record against the finals-bound teams, highlighted by 3-32 against Ainslie Park and 3-37 recently against Lilydale.

Cooper Grigg (Montrose)

Ranked seventh for wickets taken with 25 at 15.36, claiming scalps in 11 of his 12 matches – including 3-39 against Ainslie Park. A recent showing with the bat yielded an unbeaten half-century against Kilsyth.

Daniel Thompson (Lilydale)

Has premiership-winning experience in spades and has been one of the Falcons’ key drivers this season, knocking 416 runs while also collecting 16 wickets at 19.94 and 10 catches.

Daniel Thompson batting for Lilydale. Photo: Hamish Blair

David Killen (Ainslie Park)

Has only played eight matches, but he was certainly busy at the business end of the season, claiming 15 wickets at 18.

Shane Findlay (Montrose)

The Wolves’ keeper has 18 catches (most of any player from a top-four side) along with 316 runs, enjoying returns of 56 and 73 not out against North Ringwood and Lilydale respectively.

Jacob Crowe (Montrose)

The premiership-winning Wolf has been ever-reliable again this season with 404 runs, twice nudging the ton, alongside 19 wickets at 16.47.

Jake Tucker (Ainslie Park)

Potent with bat and ball, the Team of the Year rep from last season has 281 runs including an unbeaten 69 against Lilydale, while he’s also collected 17 wickets with a best of 4-70 against Montrose.

Liam Storm (Montrose)

Season has netted 352 runs at 44, with his biggest knocks coming against finals sides. He opened his campaign nicely with a maiden 100 against North Ringwood and later put on an unbeaten 61 against Ainslie Park.

North Ringwood keeper Aaron Leis celebrates a catch. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Luke Ridgwell (North Ringwood)

Another with plenty of finals experience, the spinner has 26 wickets for the season at 15.35 (ranked fifth), also sailing past the career 500-mark recently.

Michael Scott (North Ringwood)

The experienced Bull knows a thing or two about winning finals, and with 366 runs at 45.75 to go with 16 wickets at 16.06 this season, he looks primed for another crack. He’s put on some big numbers with the bat against finals sides this season, with a recent outing yielding 58 runs against ladder-leader Lilydale, while he’s also knocked 69 and 102 in respective bouts with Montrose.

Mitch Ebeyer (Lilydale)

Ninth in the comp for runs with 428, hitting four half-centuries and an unbeaten 104 – the latter against potential finals rival Ainslie Park in Round 9.

Can Ainslie Park defend its crown? Picture: Field of View Photography

Shifhran Muthalif (Lilydale)

He took home the competition’s highest individual honour last season – the Bill Dean Medal – and he’s produced another sizzling campaign. Third for runs in the comp (517, averaging 43.08) and fourth for wickets, currently at 28, averaging 17.57 from 13 matches. It’s no coincidence the Falcons finished on top of the ladder.

Tom Stray (Ainslie Park)

It’s no surprise to see the former Premier star figuring among the best, with 19 wickets at 17 (ranked No. 1 for Ainslie Park, 10th overall) and 323 runs at 53.83. His experience in the finals should be invaluable having also won multiple premierships with Ringwood in the top-flight.

Quinton Hodgkinson (Lilydale)

It’s been another consistent campaign for the decorated premiership Falcon, currently second for wickets in the comp with 28 at 15, claiming three or more scalps in a match on six occasions – including five against North Ringwood. Has also chipped in 178 runs.

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*All statistics as per last completed round.