Ricky Damiano takes Subbies record for most centuries

The Brighton champion hit his 20th ton to move past legendary batsman Val Holten. And there are predictions he has a few more to make.

Brighton champion Ricky Damiano after his century against Elsternwick.

Runs, tons and records keep coming for Brighton batsman Ricky Damiano.

The champion right-hander became Sub-District cricket’s most prolific century-maker with his innings against Elsternwick at Elsternwick Park on Saturday.

Going into the Round 8 match Damiano was equal with the revered Subbies batsman Val Holten for the most centuries in the competition, 19.

The 33-year-old assumed the record from the former Victorian player with his 110 not out against Elsty.

It was his second three-figure score this season and his 10th for Brighton, to go with his 10 for Caulfield.

Damiano took a bold step towards Holten’s longstanding record when he peeled off four centuries, three of them on the spin, last season.

He’s also closing in on another milestone: 6000 runs in Subbies, which he first played in 2009-10.

His century against Elsty was the cornerstone of Brighton’s seventh victory from eight matches.

It came off 126 deliveries, included 7 fours and 2 sixes, took in a partnership of 81 with his brother Johnny (41) and lifted the Tonners to 4-189.

Elsternwick was held to 7-118 in its reply.

Ricky Damiano on his way to his 18th century in Subbies, against Plenty Valley.

“It wasn’t pretty but we ended up getting through,’’ a pleased Damiano said after stumps.

“It was a challenging wicket, low and slow – it wasn’t bouncing – and the outfield was slow. I had to work hard, get plenty of singles, which I was happy to do.

“I’ve been pretty reckless the last few weeks, trying to hit fours and sixes all the time. This was different.’’

Damiano said he had been thinking about the record in the past 12 months.

“When I found out I was getting pretty close I thought it would be nice to get there and have something to be known for, I suppose,’’ he said.

The record century came with a cut for two.

Brighton president Bernard Mutimer said the club was proud Damiano had assumed it, and on a tough wicket.

He said it would count as one of Damiano’s best centuries considering he batted from the first ball of the innings to the last.

“He made it look easy. They (Elsty) spread the field – Cam Christensen captained them well – and Rick was smashing them and getting twos but he was patient,’’ Mutimer said.

VSDCA president Phil O’Meara said Damiano was one of the best players he had seen in Sub-District cricket and was “entering hall of fame territory’’.

He said Damiano was capable of scoring quite a few more centuries.

“He’s an attacking batsman and he’s a matchwinner,’’ O’Meara said. “He’s always good to watch.’’

Caulfield president Shaun Richardson said it was an outstanding achievement – and predicted there would be “plenty more’’ centuries for Damiano.

“He’s only a young man … he could push into 25, 30 hundreds,’’ Richardson said.

“If he plays into his mid to late 30s, and he’s fair dinkum about it, he’ll nudge 30.’’

Richardson played with Damiano at Caulfield and described him as an “unbelievably talented player’’.

“He was a wonderful player for our club, and a beautiful player to watch,’’ he said.

“If he sets his mind to it, he should make a big score every week. I’ve seen him make a lot of entertaining 20s and 30s. That selfishness and that desire to make hundreds, he seems to have found that in recent years.’’

In 2014 Richardson had called Damiano “Bradman at our level’’.

RICKY DAMIANO’S CENTURIES IN SUBBIES

2011-12 (Caulfield): 102 no v Moorabbin, 106no v Bayswater, 100no v Ormond

2012-13 (Caulfield): 100no v Melton, 133 v Roxburgh Park/Broadmeadows

2013-14 (Caulfield): 113 v Brighton, 143 v Kingston Saints, 117 v Ormond

2014-15 (Caulfield): 110 v Moorabbin

2015-16 (Caulfield): 129 v Hoppers Crossing

2016-17 (Brighton): 124 v St Bernard’s

2017-18 (Brighton): 100 v Box Hill

2018-19 (Brighton): 125 v Werribee, 143no v Oakleigh

2019-20 (Brighton): 144 v Coburg, 112 v Ormond, 101 v Brunswick, 136 v Plenty Valley

2020-21 (Brighton): 127 v Noble Park, 110no v Elsternwick