VTCA 2018-19: Player exodus forces Greenvale Kangaroos to withdraw from Senior Division

ST ALBANS has won a three-club race to fill the vacancy in VTCA Senior Division created by Greenvale Kangaroos’ withdrawal.

VTCA cricket grand final: St Albans V Taylors Lakes at Taylors Lakes .Taylors Lakes batsman Mick Brne not out LBWPicture: Mark Wilson

ST ALBANS has won a three-club race to fill the vacancy in VTCA Senior Division created by Greenvale Kangaroos’ withdrawal.

Citing an exodus of players, Greenvale has relinquished its place in the top grade and will instead compete in the new Howarth Shield — Division 1 West.

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The VTCA board invited the 10 North-West Division clubs from 2017-18 and relegated Tullamarine to submit proposals to be promoted, while Westmeadows also put its hand up.

Aberfeldie, Westmeadows and St Albans were under consideration, with the latter promoted after finishing seventh last season in the second tier.

“The board received very professional and well compiled submissions from three clubs who were extremely keen to accept the position within the higher grade and test themselves at the top level,” a VTCA statement read.

“All three clubs presented very good cases for admission and the decision was a difficult one for the board.”

St Albans has been promoted to VTCA Senior Division for 2018-19. Picture: Mark Wilson

The association said the timing of the change was “regrettable”, but added it had been buoyed by the level of interest from clubs who pushed for a Senior Division berth.

St Albans said it was confident it could compete with the VTCA’s premier clubs and would “look forward to mixing it with the best clubs in the competition”.

Tallan Wright celebrates a wicket for Greenvale Kangaroos last summer. Picture: Hamish Blair

Greenvale Kangaroos finished seventh in Senior Division last summer, but reached consecutive grand finals as recently as 2015-16 and 2016-17.

This season’s fixture has been updated to reflect the change, with St Albans slated to host powerhouse Yarraville Club in the opening round, which starts on October 6.

Greenvale will meet Airport West St Christophers in Round 1 of the Howarth Shield campaign.

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