VDSCA 2018-19: Mount Waverley records its first Sub-District Cricket finals win in three years

Mount Waverley’s leaders stood tall on Sunday to guide the Roos to their first VSDCA finals win since the 2015-16 premiership, setting up a semi-final date against Noble Park.

Milan Fernando tosses one up against Plenty Valley. Picture: David Crosling

Mount Waverley’s leaders stood tall on Sunday to guide the Roos to their first VSDCA finals win since the 2015-16 premiership, setting up a semi-final date against Noble Park.

Mt Waverley restricted Plenty Valley to 173 before captain Andy Power and coach Michael Sheedy provided the backbone of the chase in the six-wicket victory.

The pair shared a 94-run third-wicket partnership, advancing the Roos to the final four and putting them one win away from the North-East decider.

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“Sheeds and I had spoken about being in a moment like that for nine months,” Power said.

“We were just so determined to keep batting and put together a partnership.

“We knew the wicket out there was really flat … we know each other’s plans really well and we were able to put together some runs.

“We just wanted to get to 100 two-down and we thought if we got to 100 we could break their backs a little bit.”

Sheedy was dismissed for 45 with the score at 3-131 and Power hit his fourth half-century of the season, removed for 67 when Mt Waverley needed just another six runs for victory.

Kurt Benjamin crunched 3 sixes and 2 fours in a quickfire 36 as the target was reached in 60.1 overs.

Jake Rigby searches for a wicket. Picture: David Crosling

Power reserved praised for his bowling group, labelling the display with the ball as the best of the season.

Benjamin (3-37 off 16 overs) picked up three middle-order scalps as Plenty Valley went from 2-68 to 8-111, while Hugh Birchall took 3-45 .

Jake Rigby removed James Dickinson for 61 on his way to 2-40 off 14 overs, while Milan Fernando sent down nine overs for a return of 1-30 off 19 overs.

“We had the better of the conditions, the pitch had a bit in it early,” Power said.

“We bowled really, really well — as well as we’ve bowled all year. We were really elated to keep them to 173 given how flat the pitch was because it was just doing nothing in the afternoon.

“That sort of pitch is conducive to making runs. I think it’s the best pitch I’ve played on in two years.”

James Dickinson on his way to 61 against Mount Waverley. Picture: David Crosling

Noble Park’s hopes of making the decider could rest on the shoulder of captain Luke Wintle, who passed 700 runs for the season in the victory over Bayswater.

“They’ve got three or four terrific batsmen ... obviously it would be really nice to get Wintle (cheaply) but with Noble Park, they’ve got three or four others who consistently step up and have done so against us.

“We’ve just got to really understand who were bowling at at any point in time and stick to our plans.”