VSDCA serves up weekend of drama as streaks continue, end, hearts broken
Preston’s historic undefeated run came to an end and the Bullants have been challenged to respond as they face red-hot ladder-leader Elsternwick.
Preston’s 24-game unbeaten run came to a halt on Saturday.
Coach Amit Chaudhary has challenged his players to respond as they host red-hot ladder-leader Elsternwick in a two-dayer across the next fortnight.
The Bullants’ streak dates back to the final round of the 2023-24 VSDCA season before going through last year undefeated, winning the North-East premiership.
SCROLL DOWN FOR A COMPLETE WRAP OF A DRAMATIC WEEKEND
The club added five more victories to start this season before succumbing to Brighton by 67 runs at Brighton Beach Oval.
The unbeaten run was one of the longest in Subbies history.
Chaudhary said the club could look back proudly but had to refocus.
“Elsternwick is top of the ladder now, we’ve stumbled from first to fourth,” he said.
“They’re flying, so it will be a really good challenge for the group.
“First, to perform, and second, to bounce back from the loss because they haven’t experienced that.
“We’ll regroup and give it a shot and look to finish this side of Christmas strongly.”
With the Eels and Brunswick to come before the break, Preston will have played every other top-six club and six of the top-eight.
The Bullants lost paceman Marcus Murphy to injury before the match against Brighton.
The reigning premier wasn’t without its chances but a critical dropped catch proved decisive.
An early chance off Tonners captain Peter Cassidy went down and he took full advantage, scoring an unbeaten 71 off 80 balls, taking his club from 6-195 to 6-286.
Virosh Wijesinghe (2-28) and Althaf Nizam (2-47) both ended up with two scalps apiece.
Preston were in early trouble at 2-21 before a 124-run stand between captain Vaib Deshpande and Damith Priyadarshana.
Priyadarshana fell for 57 shortly after tea and the visitors lost 4-22.
“We were very confident going into the game but an unexpected injury on Thursday to Marcus – he did his calf,” Chaudhary said.
“Not having him and missing last year’s (grand final) man of the match Liam Ingram, they’ve opened the bowling throughout the last year.
“We started OK and had them around 6-200 but we dropped Cassidy in the 72nd over and that made a huge difference.
“In a big chase you need the two openers to give you a good start, unfortunately that didn’t happen.
“I must give credit to Brighton, the wicket was good, they prepared the wicket nicely.
“Yes, it was overcast and the conditions were bowler friendly but the wicket was prepared, there were no demons as such.
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“We thought we were a chance at tea but we lost Damith straight after tea and three wickets straight after that, which left more than 100 runs for Vaib to get alone and it proved too much.”
Preston was dismissed for 219 in 74.4 overs.
Deshpande scored his second century of the season, 108 from 169, taking him to 345 runs for the season, at an average of 57.5, and fourth on the VSDCA North-South group run-scoring charts.
Cassidy completed a man-of-the-match performance with 3-46, while Glen Parker (3-54) and Cameron Wilshaw (3-46) also picked up three scalps.
WEEKEND WRAP
BRIGHTON’S WINNING STREAK CONTINUES
A classic catch started it. Clinical line and length bowling finished it. Brighton made it four straight wins when it defused Preston’s run chase to secure a 67-run victory, despite a brilliant century by Bullants captain Vaibhav Deshpande. After putting up 6-286 last week, Brighton broke through early when Rick Damiano snared a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Preston opener Greg Maratos in the second over. Preston steadied as Deshpande and Damith Priyadarshana shared a 124-run partnership to take the score from 2-21 to 3-145. English import Cam Wilshaw then turned the match, removing Priyadarshana for 57, Ryley Bamford and Mahesh Kodamullage in quick succession as Preston collapsed to 6-167. Glen Parker delivered the decisive blow, dismissing Deshpande for 108 (11 fours, one six) before rapidly cleaning up the tail, bowling the final two batsmen. Parker finished with 3-54, while left-arm spinner Wilshaw claimed 3-46. Brighton skipper Pete Cassidy also contributed 3-46 as clinical bowling secured another impressive victory.
ELSTERNWICK SURGES TO TOP
Elsternwick surged to top spot with their fifth consecutive win, comfortably defeating Kew. After dismissing Kew for 109 last week, Elsternwick resumed at 0-29 and cruised to victory, declaring at 5-124 despite missing competition leading run-scorer LJ Edwards through a back injury. Will Tripcony contributed 21 while Cam Christiansen impressed with an unbeaten 34 off 42 balls, including two fours. Elsternwick pursued outright points but Kew resisted after stumbling to 2-13. Captain James Clark anchored the innings with an unbeaten 50, supported by Jack Carroll’s 26 not out, as the visitors finished at 2-85 to deny Elsternwick maximum points.
OAKS ALMOST SNATCH WIN
The conditions should have been in St Bernard’s favour but Oakleigh showed its batting power on Saturday before ultimately falling short. The Snowdogs had set an imposing 8-286 last week to take the box seat. However, Murphy Oval appeared one of the few grounds in Melbourne untroubled by the rain as Oakleigh chased victory. Aayushdeep Pathania (63) and Matt Farthing (31) had the visitors cruising at 1-120 before both fell in the space of a few balls. Kamesh Lokuge (41) and Matt Grace (42 not out) keep the Oaks in the hunt but St Bernard’s slowly took control. Oakleigh all out for 272 in the 79th over. Snowdogs captain Daniel O’Connell bagged 3-32 and Conor Browne finished with 3-46 in the tense 14-run win.
SAINTS MARCH IN
Ivanhoe took the advantage into Saturday’s action and pressed that advantage into a 139-run victory at Ivanhoe Park. The Saints declared at 8-286 and had Moorabbin 1-17 at stumps last week and they continued to apply the pressure on a rain-affected day two. Alvin Simon made the breakthrough and triggered a 3-5 collapse, the Binners then lost 3-2 in the middle order to finally be dismissed for 9-147. Opener Dhiren De Silva was unable to play after suffering an injury at training on Thursday night. Simon finished with 4-50, while Jonathan Kuch snared 2-10 and Patrick Hewson 2-14. Ivanhoe went chasing an outright result but Moorabbin, missing two players, made 5-112 to reach stumps. Oliver Drury retired on 50, forced to leave mid-match to catch a flight, while Kuch added another 2-19. The result sees Ivanhoe climb to 11th, seven points outside the top-six.
WICKS GET LUCK OF THE RAIN
Luck was on Brunswick’s side in Round 6. The Wicks got the sunny batting conditions and made hay, scoring 8-233 last week. In contrast, damp, overcast conditions met Caulfield as it embarked on the chase and it never got close, Brunswick’s attack bowling it to a 69-run victory at Caulfield Park. Dan Goodey (2-25) and Louis Cameron (2-28) ripped through the top order before Daniel Moriarty (57) and Lucas Agar (47) steadied the ship for Caulfield. However, David Bonavia (3-47) and Ashish Pokhrel (3-48) broke the partnership and dismantled the lower order. The home team all out 164.
MOON’S MATCH-WINNING DOUBLE POWERS MONDERS
Bailey Moon put the cap on a memorable game, taking 4-49 to go with his 112 last week, as Ormond beat Plenty Valley by 68 runs. Moon’s new ball partner Rodney Bird captured 5-32, including the first three wickets to fall. Abbas Rashid top scored for Plenty Valley with 84, his second half-ton of the campaign.
PORT’S BOWLERS COMPLETE DOMINANT VICTORY
Port Melbourne swept to a dominant victory over Strathmore, dismissing the Mores for 169 on Saturday. After skipper Luke Domaschenz’s unbeaten 101 set up Port’s whopping 9-309 last week, it was their bowlers who completed the job, with Muhammad Arslan Khan taking 3-14, Mack Burdett 2-25 and Tom Odell 2-25. Darcy Cotter top scored for Strathmore with 49.
KIDD’S FIREWORKS RESCUE COBURG
A blazing Cameron Kidd century defused Malvern’s outright bid as Coburg struck batting form in its second innings, making 4-197. Kidd cracked 112 off 92 balls (13 fours, 5 sixes) as the Burgs improved vastly after being knocked over for 81 in their first dig last week.
STUMPS DAY ONE
Caulfield champion Jacob Thorne delivered a marathon masterclass on Saturday, claiming career-best figures of 7-80 from 34 overs to restrict Brunswick to 8-233.
After paceman Oli Hayes (1-24 off 13) struck early, the off-spinner took control with flight, patience and cunning field placements.
Brunswick stumbled from 1-93 to 5-135 on the opening day of VSDCA north-south Round 6 as Thorne ran through the middle order, ably assisted by wicketkeeper-skipper James Small who snared two catches and a stumping.
Brunswick opener Shloak Dharmadhikari’s patient 53 and captain Ben Rowles’ 40 provided resistance — and Kian Roberts (22) and Greg Holmes (24) made starts and David Bonavia (37) and Ashish Pohkrel (20 not out) added valuable late runs — but it was Thorne’s day as he barely raised a sweat dismantling the visitors.
MOON SHINES FOR ORMOND
Bailey Moon’s crucial knock of 112 from 124 balls lifted Ormond to 9-291 declared against Plenty Valley. In response, Plenty Valley raced to 1-31 from just five overs to end the day’s play, with 260 still required for victory. Gregory Willows (41 off 72 balls) and James Bartholomeusz (42 off 47) also chipped in with the bat for Ormond.
LAWRENSON ALL CLASS
St Bernard’s were rightfully rapt when English import Josh Lawrenson agreed to return for a second VSDCA season. He showed why at Murphy Oval on Saturday with a marvellous performance against the vaunted Oakleigh attack. Coming in at 1-9, Lawrenson belted a superb century — 134 from 197 deliveries — before holing out in the deep at 4-235. He combined with Peter Clark (44) for a 98-run stand and Jevon Kett (36) in a 102-run partnership. Skipper Daniel O’Connell added 37 as the home team posted 8-286 from its 80 overs. Alex Jones and Matt Grace both took three wickets for the Oaks.
PORT PILE ON THE RUNS
An unbeaten ton marked a return to form for Luke Domaschenz as Port Melbourne posted 9-309 against Strathmore. Batting at four, Domaschenz finished on 101 not out from 179 deliveries in an innings that included nine boundaries. Opening bat Nicholas Benson also helped Port Melbourne get off to a strong start, scoring a 70-ball 63. Opening bowler Will Lee toiled for Strathmore and was rewarded with figures of 4-53 from 16 overs.
TONNERS TURN IT ON
Brighton’s batting line-up showcased its quality against ladder leaders Preston, rebounding from a precarious 2-29 to compile 6-286.
Glen Parker and Josh Kelly ignited the recovery with a century partnership that took the Tonners to 3-130.
Parker looked destined for three figures before falling for a beautifully made 82, adjudged LBW.
Kelly reached his half-century in style with back-to-back reverse-sweep boundaries, only to perish the same way — LBW attempting another.
Enter skipper Pete Cassidy at No. 6; the hard-hitting right-hander produced a captain’s knock of 71 not out off 80 balls (five fours, one six). Cassidy found willing allies in Cooper Bingham (29) and Jack O’Brien (33no), their partnerships propelling Brighton to a commanding total against the competition frontrunners.
TRYFONOS’ DAY TO REMEMBER
Malvern is well-placed to chase an outright win over Coburg after setting up a commanding 119-run lead on day one. The Roosters skittled Coburg for 81 and have already raced to 4-200 in just 33 overs in reply. With the ball, Sam Hunt (5-25 off 14 overs) and Max Tryfonos (4-19 off 11.5) combined for nine wickets between them, before Tryfonos also delivered with the bat at the top of the order, crunching 68 in a bruising 158-run opening stand. Tryfonos’ opening partner Nick Taylor blitzed his way to a 92-ball 101 with 14 fours and 4 sixes.
BIG PARTNERSHIP PUTS IVANHOE ON TOP
Ivanhoe will certainly be happy with their weekend’s work on Saturday, in the box seat for a much-needed win over Moorabbin at Ivanhoe Park. Ivanhoe won the toss and decided to bat, declaring at 8-286. It also gave the home team eight overs at Moorabbin’s top-order and Jonathan Kuch duly delivered, trapping Binners captain Damsara Menuwara for a duck, the visitors going to stumps 1-17. Earlier, Charlie Taylor had given Ivanhoe a strong start, hitting 59. However, it fell to 6-147 before a match-turning 126-run seventh-wicket stand between Jackson Hayse and Ed Withington. Hayse was a late inclusion for the match after captain-coach Henry Tyler failed a fitness test and delivered a top-score of 84 from 114 deliveries. Withington finished unbeaten on 62 from 71 balls. Harry Donelan and Praveen Dilanka both took three wickets for Moorabbin.
ELSTY SEIZE CONTROL
Second-placed Elsternwick has one hand on victory after dismantling Kew for just 109 before cruising to 0-29 by stumps. Paceman Jacob Kerr set the tone with a lethal 3-10 from just 7.2 overs, while spinner Fahad Sabir (3-35) impressed. Wicketkeeper Tom Cooper was busy behind the stumps, pouching three catches as Kew’s batting line-up crumbled. Elsty openers Lachlan Baker (16 not out) and Michael Edwards (10 not out) negotiated the closing overs unscathed and will resume their chase on the weekend needing just 80 runs with all 10 wickets in hand.
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