VSDCA: Hoppers Crossing to host Caulfield in south-west group grand final

Having come from sixth spot, Caulfield is hoping for an “old fashioned down in the dirt” battle with Hoppers Crossing in the VSDCA south-west grand final. And the Cats say they are ready for it.

Jacob Thorne of Caulfield bowls. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

After squeaking into finals, Caulfield is one win away from securing a premiership to savour.

The Fielders, who have knocked off Oakleigh and Brighton in March, will take momentum into the VSDCA south-west grand final against Hoppers Crossing at Hogans Rd Reserve this weekend.

“It’s going to be a big game,” Caulfield playing-coach Lachlan Graf said.

“We’re going to take our confidence out there, knowing it’s going to be a tough old two days.

“They’re probably thinking the same thing. Hopefully they’re looking at us going, ‘they’re going to give us a fair shake’, so hopefully it’s just a good old fashioned down in the dirt grand final.”

Graf said making the big dance from sixth spot was something he and his players were proud of.

“I’ve said it all year, if we could get into the finals we felt we could give it a fair shake,” he said.

“Finishing sixth and getting into a grand final is a very good effort by the boys. And it’s something we are proud of.”

Jacob Thorne of Caulfield bowls. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Caulfield beat Brighton by 20 runs in a gripping preliminary final on the weekend.

The Fielders lost the toss and were sent in on Saturday, makng 6-266.

In reply, Brighton was held to 8-246.

There were two century makers in the game. Caulfield’s James Crosthwaite hit 118 off 201 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) while Brighton No. 5 Cooper Bingham made 123no off 195 balls (11 fours, 3 sixes), including a late flurry to try and lift his side.

Josh Rymell (80) shared a 182-run fourth wicket partnership with Crosthwaite on Saturday, the pair taking Caulfield from 3-19 to 3-201.

“A really good innings from Crossy and Rymers as well,” Graf said.

“We were in a little bit of strife early. The Brighton bowlers backed themselves and did well with the ball early.

“Then those two came in and it was a really solid showing from them.’’

Cooper Bingham. Picture: Mark Wilson

Bingham’s ton for Brighton nearly got his side home.

“It was a beautiful innings by Coops,” Graf said.

“He put us to the sword a little bit which was a good little learning experience for a few of our guys as well, just obviously what finals pressure is all about.

“He’s a very solid player, he times it really well, we let him off a couple of times which was a bit disappointing. We came out a bit flat after lunch.

“It was finals pressure. You have to work really hard to win a final. We were made to work very hard.”

Graf took 3-51 off 17 overs and Jacob Thorne bowled a marathon 34 overs for a return of 2-99.

Caulfield will compete in its sixth grand final in nine years. It has won four of them — the last flag triumph coming two years ago.

CATS TAIL WAGS

He might bat at number 11 but Hoppers Crossing’s Abbas Faiyaz is one of the most in-form batters ahead of the VSDCA south-west grand final.

Faiyaz continued his brilliant finals form with an unbeaten 50 runs off 24 balls, including 4 boundaries and 4 sixes, to help Hoppers beat Oakleigh in a preliminary final last weekend and earn home ground advantage in the decider.

He shared a 71-run partnership with Wajhe Ali Bangash (33no off 69) to help lift the Cats to 9-292 on day one.

It then proved pivotal as Oakleigh was rolled for 253 in the 78th over on day two.

In the first final, Faiyaz also came to the crease late and struck a quickfire 28 off 16 to help propel the Cats towards a much better score.

“It was some of the cleanest ball striking you will see anywhere in the comp,” Hoppers Crossing captain-coach Simon Lambert said.

“I’ve always known he’s been able to do it, until now it probably hasn’t just come together for him.”

Simon Lambert on the drive for Hoppers Crossing. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Faiyaz’s performance put an exclamation mark on the home side’s innings in which the tail made their bowling efforts a little easier.

After racing to 0-67, the Cats eventually dropped to 4-89 and appeared to be in a “sticky spot” according to Lambert.

“We don’t have a traditional tail, we’re the last two or three which might quickly come and go,” he said.

“I think in a lot of other sides they would probably bat in the top seven. It’s given us a lot of confidence to add more runs at the end of the innings.”

Lambert was in fine form of his own scoring 60 off 76 while number eight Bhaumik Jani scored 42 off 59.

Harshit Takkar was the pick of the bowlers in the run chase with 3-41 as Bhanuka Samarakkody’s 52 was the top score for Oakleigh.

GRAND FINAL: Hoppers Crossing v Caulfield, at Hogans Rd Reserve, March 29-30.

WHAT THE COACHES SAY

Simon Lambert (Hoppers Crossing): “They (Caulfield) have quite a strong batting side. We’ll have a slight advantage playing at home but hopefully our best cricket is more than good enough.”

Lachlan Graf (Caulfield): “They (Hoppers Crossing) obviously managed to dig themselves out of a few holes with their lower order, and Lambert at the top is a bit of a barometer, he gets them going pretty well.’’