VSDCA: Aaron Ostilly nabs four in Caulfield win and Donvale’s Eddie Steele blasts 137no

Caulfield’s rooms were full of fresh faces as the reigning premiers made a flying start to the VSDCA season. And a Donvale opener blasted off with an incredible knock.

Caulfield’s Lachlan Graf started the season strongly on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

Caulfield cricket stalwart Geoff Reilley can’t remember a younger Fielders first XI.

And he’s been around the club for six decades.

Caulfield’s side in Saturday’s season opener included six players aged 22 or younger.

Three of them were teenagers — Lucas Agar, Charlie Clancy and Zac Fraser.

The burst of youthful exuberance worked; Caulfield, with senior men Lachie Graf and Jacob Thorne leading from the front, coasted to a comfortable victory over Port Melbourne.

Fellow youngsters Aaron Ostilly, Chase Alfasi and English import Josh Rymell also did well.

Bowling first on a wicket with “a bit in it’’, Caulfield reduced Port Melbourne to 5-38 at Caulfield Park before the visitors eked out 128.

Caulfield coach Graf took a wicket second ball of the season and went on to collect 4-26 off nine overs.

Ostilly was most impressive, taking 4-19 off his nine, consistently hitting a good line and length.

In reply, Caulfield lost Rymell (6) early but Clancy (35) and Thorne (46) shared a 74-run partnership before Agar (14no) and Graf (9no) steered the side to victory in the 38th over, finishing 3-131.

Clancy impressed in his first time opening the batting in Caulfield’s first XI.

“Young Charlie looked really solid,” Graf said.

“Thorney just picked up from where he left off last year to be honest, he didn’t really look troubled, he was very composed and as he usually does he lets the bowlers make mistakes and then he capitalises. He’s class.”

Graf said Caulfield would continue to play its youngsters as it set about defending its title.

“We’re going to have times where it all works out for them and times when it doesn’t but it will be part of the learning for them, and then hopefully us older blokes can chip in around them,’’ he said.

“I think the balance will be quite nice this year.

“If you look at our team from five or six years ago you’d be lucky to get two people under the age of 22.

“It’s a fairly big change but the boys are all very good cricketers and I’ve got full confidence in them this year. We’re just letting them have a bit of a run at it and try and build confidence within them and then hopefully they can repay us with some good output.’’

Ormond batter Rory Freeman.

Lincoln Edwards batting for Elsternwick.

In other South East section matches, Ormond beat Oakleigh despite ex-Test star James Pattinson making 107 off 114 balls for the Oaks. The Monders chased down the 203 target, with Rory Freeman (63) and James Bartholomeusz (62) showing the way.

Moorabbin was shot out for 94 by Elsternwick, which cruised to 2-98 in 17 overs in reply. Elsty opening bowler Oliver Birts was red-hot, taking 5-10 off nine overs, with six maidens. Elsternwick skipper LJ Edwards timed the ball beautifully as he peeled off 46no off 27 balls.

Malvern was too good for Croydon, with Ranjit Singh (80) and skipper Tom Rickarby (55) setting up victory.

Noble Park No. 4 Sahan Perera raised his bat for a brilliant 103 off 110 balls as he set up his side’s win over Brighton. Perera and skipper Janaka Liyanabadalge (70 off 73) put on 125 for the third wicket as Noble Park racked up 6-259 off 45 overs. Brighton’s Glen Parker scored 96 in a gallant reply but his side fell 31 runs short.

Donvale opener Eddie Steele smashed a blistering 137 not out off 109 balls to steer his side to victory over Bayswater. Steele thrashed 18 boundaries and two sixes as the Lions, chasing 8-192, achieved victory with nine overs and six wickets to spare.