VSDCA wrap: Two centuries, clutch wins and pre-finals wobbles

A surging Spotswood, Oakleigh’s march to the finals, an Elsternwick batting revival to remember and Brighton batting brilliance...there were highlights galore in VSDCA south-west section on Saturday.

Lewis Eldridge of Yarraville ripped through Williamstown’s top order on Saturday. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

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Spotswood’s finals bid is gathering momentum after it upset Caulfield at Caulfield in Round 10 of Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association’s south-west section on Saturday.

After restricting the Fielders to 8-183, with skipper Jakson Knight snaring 2-13, Spotty’s top order pounced to secure victory in the 39th over, making 4-185.

Gun opener Lachlan McKenna peeled off 60 off 68 balls (with 2 fours and 3 sixes) to go past 500 runs for the season, while skipper Knight clipped a rapid half-century, 52 off 51 balls, and Taylor Tatterson (31) and Jarrod Martignago (28) hit the ball crisply.

Spotswood has won its past two games to climb to seventh spot. It hosts second-placed Oakleigh this Saturday.

Jakson Knight bowling for Spotswood. Picture: Valeriu. Campan

It was another masterclass from Subbies champion Glen Parker in Brighton’s emphatic win over Ormond.

Parker carved out an unbeaten 106 from 109 balls in a 182-run stand with opener Lucky Malik (88no).

Parker then captured 2-7 off five overs as the Tonners rolled Ormond 86 runs shy of their 1-224 total.

Despite Parker’s tidy spell, Nick Gillard was the pick of the Brighton bowlers with 4-34.

Glen Parker was in sublime form for Brighton. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A century from Taylors Lakes gun Lachlan Marr wasn’t enough to drag the Lions over Malvern.

Marr struck 106 from 103 balls, which included 11 fours and three sixes, to lift the Lions to 6-239.

But the Roosters, led by skipper Tom Rickarby, were clinical in reply.

Only one Malvern batter failed to reach double figures while Rickarby (73 off 64), Nick Taylor (58 off 90) and Will Beattie (36no off 40) guided it to a five-wicket victory.

Lachlan Marr on the drive for Taylors Lakes. Picture: Andy Brownbil

A balanced Oakleigh continued its winning form, trouncing Port Melbourne by 97 runs.

The Oaks set 8-236 courtesy of half centuries from Brendan Grace and Aayushdeep Pathania.

The Borough didn’t fire a shot in the second innings as each of the six Oaks bowlers claimed at least one wicket.

Finn Usher starred with bat and ball as Elsternwick put its finals quest back on track with a 44-run win over Melton.

Usher (46 off 66 balls) and Tom Cooper (53 off 46 balls) led a crucial rebuild after the Wickers were wobbling at 4-43, the pair putting on 88 for the fifth wicket to help the side to 8-194.

Jack Phillips (22no) and Patrick Hibberd (18no) also made vital contributions.

In reply, Melton was shot out four 151, with Usher taking 2-47 with his offies, and skipper Zach Grundmann 3-24. Elsternwick is in eighth spot, with five wins.

Lewis Eldridge of Yarraville celebrates a wicket. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Yarraville left-arm seamer Lewis Eldridge took a season-best 4-26 to set up his side’s victory over Williamstown.

Eldridge dismissed four of Willy’s top five, and also got a run out, as Williamstown was dismissed for 131.

Akshat Buch also bowled beuatifully, taking 2-15 off nine overs.

Yarraville in reply achieved victory in the 40th over, with five wickets to spare. Opener Matt Harrison carried his bat to make 55 not out.

Jonathan Burton took a wicket first ball of the match to put Werribee on track for victory over Moorabbin.

Burton had dangerous Saints batter Luke Ashen caught behind for a duck and struck again soon after as Moorabbin crashed to 4-32 before making 88.

Burton finished with 3-18, supported by Jackson Hopper (3-39) and Adam Alifraco (2-17). In reply, Werribee rushed to 3-89 in 20.1 overs, with Matt Harmer clipping 25 not out and Ryan Alifraco 22 not out.

Altona’s Adam Yates pulled no punches in his side’s commanding win over Hoppers Crossing.

Yates captured 3-25 as the hosts dismissed the Cats for just 119 and he then chimed in again with the bat, blitzing 43 not out to see Altona through to an eight-wicket win.