VSDCA Holten Medal finishes in a stunning tie for first, second and third
They took the season by storm and now two of the VSDCA most feared all-rounders have been honoured with the association’s Holten Medal. See all the award winners.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A gripping VSDCA Holten Medal count has ended in a stunning tie.
Noble Park ace Sahan Perera and Brighton gun Glen Parker could not be separated in one of the closest counts in Subbies’ storied history.
Perera and Parker finished on 23 votes, with former international spinner Fawad Ahmed (Hoppers Crossing) and Yarraville run-machine Josh Hahnel equal second on 20.
Kew import Sam Pearce and Coburg skipper Aaron Shellie also finished tied in third on 19 votes.
It’s the first tie since Caulfield’s Jacob Thorne and Noble Park’s Mevan Fernando in 2017-18.
The pair faced each other in an epic semi-final this season and paid tribute to each other’s performances.
“Sahan got me out in controversial circumstances, check the FrogBox, but that semi was worthy of being a final,” Parker said.
“The wicket played to their strength, Sahan opened the bowling and took a few early, but we clawed our way back into the game and at times in the fourth innings we were on top but they just held on.
Sahan added: “I remember the first time we faced each other, I faced two maidens against Glen and I got told I had to make a move.”
“The semi they were the better team and we lost the toss, Janaka (Liyanabadalge) told me I was opening the bowling and they crumbled one after the other.
“They came back very strong but a young man JP (Jaspreet Singh) stood up and didn’t let the game go.”
Perera was a red-hot favourite after an eye-catching campaign, leading the Bulls to the South-East group premiership.
After arriving from Premier Cricket club Dandenong, the star all-rounder led the VSDCA with 816 runs at an average of 48 – breaking the Noble Park club record – and also snared 39 wickets at 17.15 – sixth most in the association.
Meanwhile, Parker was equally dominant for the Tonners.
He combined 40 wickets at an average of 12.28, fifth most in the VSDCA, with 611 runs at 38.19, sixth in the South-East group.
“Pretty shocked to be honest, judging by your stats you know you’re a chance or not but you never think you’re going to win something like this,” Parker said.
“I’m pretty honoured, excited and honoured by the achievement.
“In the Subbies it is (a personal best), I hadn’t cracked the 500-run mark before this year, so I was happy to get that milestone, and 40 would be a PB with the ball.”
The pair were both named in the VSDCA Team of the Year.
Kew premiership skipper David Wildsmith was named captain, while Hahnel and Spotswood’s Jarrod Martignago took the openers spots.
PREMIER: TOP YOUNG BATTER CROSSES TO PREMIER RIVAL
LEADER: GET YOUR SUBBIES CRICKET NEWS HERE
PREMIER: “CRITICAL PIECE”: PRAHRAN LANDS VIC QUICK
Ahmed, Pearce, Akshay Ballal (Mt Waverley), Nilan Fernando (Taylors Lakes), Jon Burton (Werribee), Lewis O’Donnell (Port Melbourne) and Tom McQuinn (Croydon) were also selected.
In the night’s other awards, Malvern’s Will Beattie was awarded the Anthony Gale Medal as the association’s best young player.
The rising star made 494 runs at an average of 35.3 and captured 13 wickets at 24.3.
Several greats to the competition were celebrated on the night.
Long-time Port Melbourne scorer and VSDCA historian Peter Vesey, Port Melbourne and Subbies Umpires stalwart James Earle and Coburg legend Peter Flack were inducted into the VSDCA Hall of Fame.
UK slugger headlines Baysie recruiting haul
A first-class English cricketer is set to open the batting for Subbies outfit Bayswater this season – but he’s not the only key inclusion.
REPLAY: St Kevin’s storm home in VAFA Premier Women’s semi-final
They refer to the third term as the premiership quarter and St Kevin’s have answered the call by cutting down Old Scotch to storm into the VAFA Premier women’s grand final. Full REPLAY.