VSDCA 2018-19: Caulfield bounced out of Sub-District Cricket finals in straight sets as Oakleigh advances to decider

Near-unbeatable Caulfield has been knocked out of the VSDCA flag race in straight sets after Oakleigh advanced to the South-West section decider, where they will meet Elsternwick.

Shane Townsend clips one through the leg-side on Saturday. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Which of the two is more remarkable?

That near-unbeatable Caulfield has been knocked out of the VSDCA flag race or Elsternwick, a team that was 10th heading into the final round only to sneak into the six by a mere .0781 per cent, is through to the grand final?

Oakleigh advanced to the South-West section decider after a 41-run victory over the Fielders on Sunday, dumping the back-to-back premiers out of the finals.

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VSDCA: OAKLEIGH WINS SEVENTH CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

VSDCA: ELSTERNWICK NOSES MELTON IN EPIC MATCH

At MacPherson Park, Elsty continued its quest for a first flag in 99 years after prevailing by three runs in a final-over thriller against Melton to set up a grand final show against the Oaks.

Whoa. A big wicket for Oakleigh, with Mick Splatt knocking over Caulfield champion Jacob Thorne for 5. Fielders 2-33 chasing the Oaks’ 204 in the @SubbiesCricket semi. Graeme Rummans on 16 and batting well, as he does.

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) March 17, 2019

Oh no Oakleigh. The great Graeme Rummans put down at second slip off the bowling of Alex Jones. How much will that cost the Oaks? We’ll see. Caulfield 2-33 chasing 204. @SubbiesCricket

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) March 17, 2019

“It’s certainly not what I expected and to see Elsternwick in a grand final is a remarkable effort,” Oakleigh captain Brendan McGuinness said.

“We knew if we were going to win the flag that we would have to face Caulfield at some stage. Luck favoured us and we got to play them in a semi at home, which definitely worked to our advantage and we play our ground really well.

“We’ve been building up over the last few rounds. We’ve got momentum behind us and we just felt like in a semi-final and on our home wicket, we were definitely a chance to get the job done.”

Caulfield, which had lost just four games in three seasons, was set 205 for victory but was dismissed for 163, despite a brilliant century from Graeme Rummans.

Alex Bodycoat searches for a wicket. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Caulfield paceman Andy King made early inroads on his way to a haul of 5-60 on Saturday, removing Andrew Splatt (0) and Graeme Vimpani (4) as Oakleigh collapsed to 3-16 before McGuinness and James Campbell (24) led the recovery mission.

McGuinness (51) hit his fourth consecutive half-century as the pair put on 63 for the fourth wicket, only for both to fall in quick succession to leave Oakleigh wobbling at 5-83.

But Shane Townsend and Mick Splatt again revived the innings with a 72-run sixth-wicket stand.

Splatt fell for 46 and Townsend was the last man out for 47, with Jeremy Devlin (15) also providing important lower-order runs.

McGuinness thought the total “was probably a little bit short” but praised his side’s fighting spirit.

Andy King returned a five-wicket haul for Caulfield. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“When we were 3-16 and to grind out 200 and give ourselves a defendable total was perfect,” he said.

“‘Kingy’ bowled really well … we just had to dig in and consolidate for a bit.”

Pace pair Mick Splatt (3-37) and Alex Jones (3-49) were workhorses on day two, each collecting three wickets across a combined 49.3 overs.

Jones sent down 20 overs unchanged from the cemetery end and Splatt collected the all-important wicket of Jacob Thorne for 5.

The great Peter Cross was flown down from Gosford for the game but nicked a wide one from Jones to be dismissed for 16, leaving the Fielders 4-89.

That became 6-121 when Townsend made consecutive breakthroughs, removing Adam Warren (6) and Dale Denny (3).

Mick Splatt plays a pull shot during his knock of 46. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Rummans was the last man dismissed, out for 104 after breaking Caulfield’s club record with 743 runs for the season.

Oakleigh will this weekend be chasing its first flag in 2015-16 and ninth First XI premiership, but Elsternwick enters the decider with a wave of momentum.

“They’ve come from 10th spot on the final day to be playing in a grand final and they’ve got a really good young team. They’ve got a pretty formidable bowling attack as well that has done a great job for them in the past,” McGuinness said.

“You’ve got to have momentum and a bit of luck and everything is sort of clicking. They’re certainly not going to be an easy opponent.”