VSDCA 2022-23: Croydon upset throws finals race wide open

Croydon’s upset of a finals-aspirant on Saturday has dealt widespread ramifications to those hoping to break into the six.

It may not be in the frame for a finals berth, but Croydon has thrown a spanner in the works.

The Cockies’ upset win over Hoppers Crossing on Saturday has set the scene for a cliffhanging final round of action in the VSDCA East-West group, as several sides vie for a spot in the top six.

While its season has yielded only four wins for 14th spot, Croydon coach Tom McQuinn said the 7-226 reply to Hoppers’ 224 was a glimpse of his side’s best, dealing its rival a roadblock in its finals quest.

Hoppers Crossing sits sixth on the ladder by percentage, on equal points with Melton (seventh), Balwyn (eighth) and Endeavour Hills (ninth).

“We’ve been battling away for a bit of form, especially with the bat,” McQuinn said.

“We talk about each week how we just have to bat the overs, and to do it against a finals-bound side and have a pretty complete performance and chase down a decent score was very pleasing.

“You more take the satisfaction out of how you’re able to take a win off a team that really needed it.

“On the other hand, maybe we realise that we’ve missed a trick this year – we haven’t played our best cricket, but when we do play our best cricket, we’re right up there and we can contend.”

Croydon’s Cam Vos impressed in a 58-run stand on Saturday.Picture: Andy Brownbill

Three Cockies put up half-centuries in the victory, led by Jake Marnie (65), captain Steve Wright (57) and returning gun Riley Paterson with an unbeaten 53.

Paterson had stepped away from cricket at the beginning of the season, but the weekend marked his second First XI appearance after a string of matches in the lower grades.

McQuinn said the No. 5 batsman had earnt his way back into the top grade.

“I was incredibly pleased for Riley,” McQuinn said.

“He was looking to have some time off at the start of the year … it just puts an exclamation point to him and to us as a group that he is a quality player and we know he can do those sorts of things.

“I was just rapt for him to fight his way back into the side and put a performance on like that.

“We didn’t just bring him back in – he earnt his way back.”

The coach also highlighted the “very impressive” work of youngster Cam Vos, who put on 27 in a 58-run partnership with Paterson.

Croydon faces Donvale (11th) this weekend and while both sides are out of finals contention, McQuinn says the match is far from a dead-rubber.

“For us it’s a good chance to finish off a season with a bit of momentum where we’ve underachieved.”