VSDCA 2024-25: Subbies history made in bumper North-East weekend

A near-century-old record tumbled in a milestone day for one club, while there were matchwinners aplenty across the Subbies North-East group.

Former Camberwell Magpie Chris Thewlis slammed on 143 runs in Brunswick’s record-breaking day. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A near-century-old record tumbled in a milestone day for one club, while there were matchwinners aplenty across the Subbies North-East group.

All the talking points in our weekend wrap ...

WICKS’ RECORD-BREAKING DAY OUT

Chris Thewlis bashed, Dan Houghton crashed and Brunswick smashed a new VSDCA record. The Wicks’ Subbies one-day total record was almost broken by Coburg a fortnight ago so on Saturday they set a new benchmark themselves, smashing their own 90-year-old record. In 1934-35, Brunswick scored 6-348 against Ivanhoe and it bettered that mark with a mammoth 5-356 at AG Gillon Reserve. It ended in a brutal 313-run victory over Endeavour Hills, likely another record if the association kept such statistics. Big-hitting opener Thewlis was on fire from the start, blasting an incredible 143 runs from just 74 balls, launching 10 sixes and 12 boundaries. Houghton then ripped through the Hills’ batting order, claiming 5-21 from 8.3 overs – his second five-wicket haul for the club.

SNOWDOGS WIN CONTENDER BATTLE

In an early taste of finals cricket, St Bernard’s claimed a 46-run win over Plenty Valley at War Memorial Reserve. Electing to bat first, opener Josh Lawrenson led the way with 71. Jevon Kett added 46 and Nish Perera 43 to help the visitors post 8-244 from their 45 overs. Alex Cole was the pick of the bowlers with a match-best 4-35. Plenty Valley started strongly as Sunil Dhamala (35), Lahiru Opatha (32) and Basim Khan (27) set a solid foundation. However, Perera tore through the middle order, claiming 5-20, while Nathan Johnson chipped in with 4-52. The Bats finished 9-198. St Bernard’s jumps Plenty Valley into second on the ladder on run-rate with four games remaining.

ANTS WITH 10 BALLS TO SPARE

Preston needed to muster every bit of class it possesses to remain undefeated on Saturday. The Bullants were pushed to the limit by Ivanhoe but emerged with a four-wicket win, chasing down the Saints’ 156 with 10 balls to spare. Sent in, Ivanhoe posted 7-156 behind gun import Mo Abbas’ 54. Making his First XI season debut, coach Amit Chaudhary claimed 3-11 in seven overs. Despite wickets falling around him, Greg Maratos then led the chase with a blazing 68 from 59 balls. The opener cracked 12 boundaries in the matchwinning knock. Dennis Maratos (22), Liam Ingram (23) and Mahesh Kodamullage (15 not out) then steered the home team home. Ed Withington and Patrick Hewson both took two wickets for Ivanhoe.

PERERA ROLLS ON

Another big score for the heavy-hitting Noble Park star. None other than Sahan Perera was at it again, spearheading his side to a six-wicket victory over Box Hill with an unbeaten 72-run effort of his side’s 4-192 total. In the past three outings, the reigning Val Holten medallist has also turned out knocks of 62 and 113 to lift his season-total to 653 – while averaging a whopping 108.83 – alongside 24 wickets. And speaking of which, Yehan Gunasingha took a leading 4-44 off eight overs on the way to knocking the Mustangs over for 190. Noble Park sits third on the ladder.

Can anyone catch Noble Park’s Sahan Perera this season? (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

SKIPPER LIFTS KEW

Walking to the crease at 2-56, Kew captain David Wildsmith does what he does best - lead his team out of trouble. The VSDCA Team of the Year skipper hit an unbeaten 72 from 87 balls to help Kew post 4-195 against Donvale. Luke Adams (33), Pat Grieshaber (33) and James Clark (25no) provided critical support. In reply, Donvale were in trouble themselves but didn’t have anyone to steady the ship and were dismissed for 125. A 70-run win for the reigning premier to keep its slim finals hopes alive. In a personal best performance, Lachlan Cunningham claimed 4-22, while Jack Carroll snared 4-23.

TOPP CLASS

It seems Bayswater’s Michael Topp can’t be stopped. The former Ringwood quick stood out with yet another wicket haul, this time with 5-18 off 6.2 overs on the way to skittling Strathmore for 81. Topp’s day out included three ducks as he lifted his wicket-total to a comp-leading 28 at 15.61. Not far behind on Saturday was teen talent Jakey Pietz with 3-14 off seven. Top-scoring for the Waters with the bat was Jake Wigney (47 off 63), while captain-coach Jason Kilby tipped in 36 runs.

VSDCA 2024-25: Bayswater's Michael Topp after a record 9-65 earlier this season.

COCKIES IN THE HUNT

Croydon remained in the hunt for a top-six berth after an even batting display lifted it to a four-wicket win over Balwyn. Chasing 8-175, the Cockies had UK talent Tom Scriven (44 off 47 balls) leading the way, alongside opener Jack McMeeken (41) and club great Steve Wright with an unbeaten 40. Jack Strybosch stood out for Balwyn with the bat, plundering 50 off 61 deliveries. Croydon’s even contribution was matched with the ball, with Scriven (2-30), Team of the Year rep Tom McQuinn (2-43) and captain-coach Jack Conroy (2-39) all bagging a couple of wickets each. Croydon sits seventh, just three points outside the top-six behind Mt Waverley.

ROOS CONSOLIDATE SIXTH

It has had Croydon busily breathing down its neck for a few weeks, but Mt Waverley won’t be giving up its top-six spot in a hurry. The Roos romped to an 86-run win over Coburg led by captain Hareen Silva with 59 off 70 deliveries. Opener Zac Gucciardo (45 runs off 66) and Madan Basavarajaiah (42 off 46) helped the Roos to 8-216, before Coburg fell short in its chase with 9-130 as Mt Waverley’s Shenuka De Silva claimed 3-10 off nine overs.