VSDCA 2022-23: Balwyn wins first Craig Shield title since 2015

The Tigers looked in strife in Sunday’s Craig Shield decider before a middle-order bat steadied the ship, while a gun bowler claimed the best afield honour.

BALWYN is toasting its first Craig Shield title in eight years after holding off Croydon in Sunday’s decider.

The Tigers defended 106 to win the under-15 crown as the Cockies (68) fell short in their chase.

Balwyn’s Rahul Bharadwaj claimed the player-of-the-match award for his effort of 3-17 off eight overs, including the scalps of Croydon opener Thomas Handasyde (30) and No. 4 Luke Ivanovic for a golden duck.

Balwyn coach Vihaan Narayana said opening pair Daiwik Rekhi and Jarred Holding (19 apiece) spearheaded his side’s charge, combining for 47 before the loss of wickets in quick succession plunged the Tigers to 5-58.

But Logan Sonderhof’s unbeaten top-score of 20 from the No. 6 spot helped the Tigers’ revival.

Balwyn celebrates its Craig Shield title. Picture: Balwyn CC

“We got off to a pretty good start – our openers put on a good partnership of 40-odd and then we lost a couple of early wickets all of a sudden – we were in a bit of trouble,” Narayana said.

“Logan Sonderhof came in at six and steadied the boat a little bit and got us to a respectable total – his innings was really crucial to us in terms of getting us to a total we know we can defend.

“Our previous two finals that we played, we bowled out Elsternwick for 100 and Williamstown for 50, so we knew we could defend anything north of 100, especially in a grand final.”

Narayana highlighted the work of the bowlers, no less Bharadwaj, who was complemented by the deeds of Cohen Hine (1-12 off seven overs), Sonderhof (1.9 off 5.6), Heath Fox (2-11 off six) and Yash Goel (2-15 off five) in limiting the Croydon batting order.

Hine finished the East Group series with nine wickets at an average of 10.8 before three at 11 in the finals, while Bharadwaj claimed seven at 14.7 before five at 8.4.

“We’ve been really good with the ball and in the field for the whole tournament,” Narayana said.

“I think we’ve only missed out on five wickets out of nine games … our bowling’s been superb, led by Cohen (Hine) and Rahul (Bharadwaj).

“He (Bharadwaj) got a couple of big wickets, was on a hat-trick as well, then came back on at the end and just put the finishing touches on a great game for himself.”

Balwyn coaching staff Chris Wilks, Vihaan Narayana and Jack Lyndon. Picture: Balwyn CC

Meanwhile, Croydon’s Billy Rayner (2-19 off six), Jack Childs (2-4 off five and a top-score of 15 off 31 balls) and Nathan Darvell (2-20 off three) stood out for their side.

Narayana believes the program’s strength of developing skill-sets and versatility helped propel his side to the title.

“It’s a real testament to the program that we’ve got going, run by Chris Wilks and obviously (First XI coach) Clinton Kennon has a bit of a say in it as well,” he said.

“They’ve both formed a really good program in terms of getting some young players into the club and getting them to experience higher levels if they can.

“It’s more so about developing skill-sets, it’s not just bowlers bowl and batters bat – it’s about giving opportunities to everyone and in the tournament it showed that it can benefit a lot.”