Sydenham-Hillside, St Francis de Sales dominant in VTCA Division 1 semi-finals
Sydenham-Hillside will chase a fourth premiership in five seasons, while St Francis de Sales is into a third VTCA Division 1 grand final in five seasons.
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Sydenham-Hillside and St Francis have stormed into the VTCA Division 1 grand final with two commanding semi-final wins.
The Storm and Saints will clash at Hillside Recreation Reserve next weekend for the chance to win promotion to Senior Division.
Sydenham-Hillside put Doutta Stars to the sword, wrapping up a comprehensive nine-wicket win in a day, behind Stefon King’s 4-34 and Ishan Peiris’ 69 not out.
St Francis took both days but were no less dominant in an eight-wicket win over Sunshine as Matthew Lewis snared 6-20 and Tom Robertson scored 64 not out.
The Storm is eyeing win back-to-back premierships, after triumphing in Division 2 last season, and a fourth flag in five seasons.
The Saints, meanwhile, are into a third grand final in five seasons, returning to the big stage for the first time since losing the 2018-19 decider to Haig Fawkner.
Stefon King and Tim Grech (2-13) set up Sydenham-Hillside’s win at Hillside Reserve as Doutta Stars was bowled out for just 96.
Peiris, Deakyn McIntyre (50) and Anthony Alleyne (49) then took the minor premier to 2-194 at stumps and the captains agreed to call the game off without needing to return for the second day.
Storm coach Geoff Pretty said it was the type of performance the club needed to win finals.
“We didn’t have any passengers at all, everyone contributed in some shape or form, which is what you’ve got to do to make finals,” he said.
“It would have been tough (for Doutta Stars), they probably needed to take 18 wickets and score probably 250 to make it a game so full credit to them.
“It was comprehensive, we executed our plans well and everything worked in our favour.
“(Four grand finals in five seasons) is a fantastic achievement for the club and they’ve worked hard for it so it’s just desserts. You put the hard work in you get the results.
“We’re going to be up against some stiff opposition, we’re under no illusions that it’s going to take a fantastic effort to win it.”
At Fawkner Reserve, a strong bowling performance also set up St Francis de Sales’ victory with Sunshine dismissed for 118.
Lewis was the hero with career-best First XI figures, including the key wickets of Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Nilanka Rukshitha.
Robertson, Tayo Walbrugh (30) and Ben Harding (18 not out) then guided the Saints home inside 37 overs.
The grand final will see the top two teams go head-to-head.
Sydenham-Hillside was the second-highest run-scoring team (2668) in the division this season and ranked third in wickets.
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St Francis de Sales was the second most potent with the ball (115) but ranked eighth for runs for (2189).
Surprisingly, ninth-placed PEGS (2713) and sixth-placed Seddon (120) were the top ranked teams in each category despite both missing finals.
Elsewhere, Footscray United and St Andrews Pascoe Vale booked their tickets to the Division 2 decider and Grand United and Sunbury will battle for the Division 3 crown.
Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s are into the Division 4 grand final and East Coburg and Footscray Angliss will face off for the Division 5 flag.
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