VSDCA 2021-22: Investigations committee knocks Mt Waverley protest on the head

Croydon will play in the Subbies North-East finals after a Mt Waverley protest over a wet wicket was dismissed.

The verdict is in.

And Mt Waverley’s protest has been dismissed.

Mount lodged it to the VSDCA after a wet wicket ruled out play in Saturday’s final-round match between it and Noble Park at the Pat Wright Senior Oval.

Mt Waverley, seventh, needed to win to climb past Croydon, sixth, on the north-east section ladder.

As it was they both received three points for a draw – Croydon’s game against Endeavour Hills was also a washout.

Croydon’s superior percentage earned it a finals berth.

The Sub-District investigations committee considered the protest and dismissed it.

Croydon coach Tom McQuinn said he was “relieved” at the decision, with the Cockies playing First XI finals for the first time since 2015-16.

“We’re just so happy to get it cleared up before training so we can prepare properly, and prepare unburdened,” he said.

“You’re always a little bit nervous when stuff like that’s out of our control, we had nothing to do with it.

“We’re ecstatic to be playing this week.”

Mt Waverley’s Ryan Pearce celebrates a wicket against Ivanhoe. Picture: George Sal

VSDCA secretary Ken Hilton said Mt Waverley’s protested on the basis that “they think that if effort had been made by the home club (Noble Park) play would have been possible’’.

Noble president Craig Ortland said he felt for Mt Waverley, but he was adamant no play was possible.

He said the Noble Park district received 75ml of rain on Friday night, water got under the covers and the wicket was “saturated’’ at one end.

“We welcome them firing in a protest and clubs being held accountable but there’s no way known we could have played,’’ Ortland said.

“It was just too wet. I advised Peter Webb (VSDCA official) in the morning about what had happened. It was raining again and the covers had to go back down so there was no drying weather.

“No other turf grounds around our area players either played either and they all have covers.

“I feel really bad for Mt Waverley because if they’d won they could have played finals. I understand they’re disappointed. But it was just one of those things. Unfortunately the water got under.’’

Cockies mentor McQuinn said that while he too sympathised with Mt Waverley, he believed his side’s season warranted a finals berth.

“It’s not nice (for Mt Waverley) to have your season end like that, but on the flip side, we’ve been in the six all year, so I don’t see it as we’ve got lucky,” McQuinn said.

“We’ve been good enough to be in the six all year, so I guess that’s where we’ve got the advantage.”

Croydon coach Tom McQuinn believes his side deserves to play finals.

Mt Waverley was contacted for comment.