VSDCA 2018-19: Alex Jones stars as Williamstown crumble in Sub-District Cricket quarter final

Oakleigh has set up a home semi-final date with rival Caulfield after a stunning collapse from Williamstown in the VSDCA quarter-final.

Alex Jones grabbed a five-wicket haul against Williamstown. Picture: Hamish Blair

Oakleigh has set up a home semi-final date with rival Caulfield after a stunning collapse from Williamstown in the VSDCA quarter-final at Warrawee Park Oval on Sunday.

Alex Jones and Jeremy Devlin ended the Towners’ bid for back-to-back premierships as the visitors lost 6-5 to collapse to 7-48, all out for 70 in 31.3 overs.

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“It happened bloody quickly, no longer than half an hour,” Oakleigh captain Brendan McGuinness said of the day two carnage.

“They were going at four an over … they were just scoring runs at will and when you’re only defending 218 and they’re going at over four an over, it was a bit nerve-racking there for a bit.

“We made a change and got the breakthrough and it all sort of happened from there.”

Devlin was introduced into the attack with immediate effect after Williamstown captain Brent McMinn got his side off to a flying start, only for his innings to be cut short at 26.

What followed was a clutter of wickets. The game was over by tea on day two as Oakleigh scored a 148-run win.

Jones, who had earlier bowled Patrick O’Malley for a second-ball duck in the first over of the innings, removed Matthew Dervan (0), Brenton Hodges (19) and James Cook (0) to finish with 5-28 off 15 overs.

Devlin (3-23 off 10 overs) picked up Mitchell Streiff (2) and Matthew Twentyman (0) before Jones collected his fifth when he had Nathan Bratby (10) trapped lbw as Williamstown was knocked out of the South-West flag race in a remarkable weekend.

Half-centuries from McGuinness (61) and Shane Townsend (57 not out) had Oakleigh on top at the end of day one.

But the storyline belonged to the bowlers as Oakleigh recorded its second quarter-final thumping in as many years after the 98-run win over Yarraville last year.

It was also the second consecutive year Jones has picked up a five-wicket haul in the first week of finals after a bag of 6-19 last season.

“We lost Pinny (Ben Pinwill) last year which meant we had a massive hole to fill in terms of overs to bowl and Alex has stepped up,” McGuinness said.

Brendan McGuninness posted his fifth consecutive half-century. Picture: James Ross/AAP

“He’s done an incredible job, he’s able to bowl for longer spells now, he knows his body better, he’s more disciplined and certainly matured a lot with the ball.

“He’s just really keen to lead the attack. He’s had a fantastic year and he just seems to do it in quarter finals … he bowled probably near his best.”

Elsterwick’s upset victory over Caulfield elevated Oakleigh to the No.1 seeding, setting up a home semi-final against the Fielders this weekend.

“Couldn’t believe it to be honest,” McGuinness said of Elsty’s upset.

“Overnight looking at the scores, you try and do the crystal balling and work out what’s going to happen.

“I think I expected to be playing Melton at home, Werribee were in a bit of strife and didn’t think they’d get up and Caulfield would do it in a canter — they only needed 100 with 10 wickets in the shed on their home patch.”