Sydenham-Hillside eyeing finals berth in maiden VTCA Senior Division campaign

In it’s maiden VTCA Senior Division season, Sydenham-Hillside is flying high on the back of a dominant outright win but a difficult run home looms.

Tim Grech in action for Sydenham-Hillside. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sydenham-Hillside is flying high and eyeing a stunning finals berth in its maiden VTCA Senior Division campaign.

The Division 1 premier is sitting second on the ladder with four rounds remaining after a commanding outright victory over Craigieburn on Saturday.

However, a difficult run home, with matches against St Albans, ladder-leader Deer Park, Keilor and reigning premier Yarraville Club will test its finals credentials.

The Storm defeated the Clubbers earlier in the season and coach Warren Hackney was looking forward to the challenge.

“We were always confident of being competitive and hopeful of being in or around the top-four at this stage of the season,” Hackney said.

Sydenham-Hillside captain Anthony Alleyne. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Stefon King in action for Sydenham-Hillside. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We pretty excited it’s panned out that way but, of course, there’s a long way to go and we’ve got a tough run of games coming that should sort the men from the boys.

“There are no easy games from here, starting with St Albans, they’ve had some good form this year as well and can’t be taken lightly – especially at their ground.”

Incredibly, despite sitting second, Sydenham-Hillside is ranked ninth for runs scored so far this season but first for wickets taken.

One of the keys to the Storm’s success in recent years has been strong contributions from a range of players.

Ishan Peiris is the club’s leading run-scorer with 246 at an average of 41, 10th overall in the competition, while Gayashan Weerasekara (243) is also in the top-15.

With the ball, Shehan Wedikkara and Tim Grech leads the way with 13 wickets – joint ninth overall – while Stefon King and Derone Davis have 11 to sit inside the top-20.

“It seems like there’s not really one or two guys we’re relying on with bat and ball, which is really pleasing,” Hackney said.

“Alex Barlas chipped in with four wickets, he hasn’t had much opportunity this year but got his chance and took it, Stefon King stepped up with the ball in both innings.

“With the bat, no one player is standing out, we’re getting a good even contribution from a few guys.”

Barlas starred in the outright win over Craigieburn, taking five wickets for the match, including 4-14 in the pivotal first innings.

Captain Anthony Alleyne (73 not out) and Weerasekara (53 not out) were then dominant with the bat to give the Storm a 101-run lead at stumps.

Grech and King ripped through the Eagles a second time on Saturday, to each finish with five scalps for the match, and leave just 43 runs to chase for victory.

Hackney said the performance was a strong response to defeat the previous round.

“Yeah, 10 points after a disappointing loss the previous game was a little bit of redemption,” he said.

“We were disappointed to drop points after Druids, so it was nice to bounce back with a convincing performance.

“Opportunities for outrights don’t come along too often.

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“It was nice for our bowlers to perform so strongly in week one and give us the opportunity and our batters to play their role and give us a lead by the end of day one.

“Then it was a case of having to do it all again on day two, our bowlers got 10 wickets two weeks in a row and then a small total we had to knock off.”

Undefeated Deer Park sits on top of the Senior Division ladder, eight points clear of Sydenham-Hillside.

The Storm’s outright sees them four points clear of Aberfeldie, Yarraville Club and St Albans, while Westmeadows is another six points back in what looms a fierce battle for semi-final spots.