VSDCA: Oakleigh scores six-wicket win over Ormond to post fourth win of Subbies season

Two of Oakleigh’s fringe players guided the Oaks to a relatively comfortable six-wicket win over Ormond in Round 5 of VSDCA action.

Brendan McGuninness plays one into the leg-side. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Oakleigh’s line-up has been filled with many big names in recent seasons.

But two of the club’s lesser lights guided them to a six-wicket win over Ormond at Warrawee Park this week.

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A four-wicket haul from Geoff Latham restricted the Monders to 177 before a maiden First XI half-century from Matthew Price ensured Oakleigh chased the target with relative ease.

Both Price and Latham have been regulars in the Second XI during Oakleigh’s golden era over the past decade, squeezed out for lack of opportunities.

But with spots up for grabs in Oakleigh’s line up in 2018-19, the fringe pair have made the most of their chances to start the season.

Latham turned the screws on Ormond when he claimed Monders captain James Wild (6) with the first ball of his spell, reducing the visitors to 4-97.

He added Grant Chessari (10), Vincent Page (0) and Nick Oaten (8) to finish with 4-32 in an unchanged spell of 20 overs, sending down six maidens.

“Latho has been fantastic, he’s super competitive and is incredibly enthusiastic as well,” Oakleigh captain Brendan McGuinness said.

“When he gets the ball in his hand, he just wants to have an impact and he has been brilliant.”

Price batted patiently for his 59, facing 161 deliveries in a 97-run stand for the fourth wicket with recruit James Campbell after Oakleigh fell to 3-77.

Price, who hit 6 fours and 2 sixes across three-and-a-half hours, departed with the Oaks needing just four runs for victory, with Campbell finishing unbeaten on 52.

McGuinness said it was pleasing to see Price bat for a long period of time.

“He’s been playing Second XI and doing really well for a long time now but hadn’t quite made the jump to First XI level,” he said.

“He’s got the talent and I guess it’s just been a matter of applying himself for long periods of time.

“We’re giving him a chance to lock down the No.4 batting position and hopefully he can make it his this season.”