VTCA 2020-21: James Damjanovski, Trent Lawford fire for Yarraville Club

Two of Yarraville Club’s guns showcased some of their best form in their team’s emphatic VTCA Senior Division win over Aberfeldie.

James Damjanovski has enjoyed an impressive start to the season with bat and ball. Picture: Julian Smith

What limited pre-season?

Yarraville Club gun James Damjanovski continued his red-hot form on Saturday as his team moved to 2-0 with a comprehensive win over Aberfeldie.

The all-rounder started the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Senior Division season with a knock of 73 and followed it up with 56 in a Twenty20 fixture three days later.

Damjanovski made it three half-centuries to start 2020-21 at the weekend, contributing 65 from 95 balls with four boundaries and two sixes at the top of the order.

He then put Abers in a spin, returning superb figures of 5-29 from eight overs as the Clubbers claimed a 56-run victory.

Excluding the T20 outing, Damjanovski sits second in the competition for runs scored (138) and equal third for wickets (five) after two rounds.

New captain-coach Mitch Johnstone said Damjanovski had relished the extra responsibility after Yarraville Club lost retired trio Andrew Cullen, Emmett Bronca and Adam Contessa, while Will Sheridan crossed to Kew.

Will Sheridan left the Clubbers for Kew in the off-season. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“He’s flying at the moment,” Johnstone said.

“He’s really leading from the front. I guess with some of the homegrown senior players moving on the past 6-12 months, he’s had to step it up a little bit, and he’s certainly done that. He’s been super impressive with bat and ball.

“He’s just looks in control with the bat and is striking the ball really well and he’s shifting through those gears nicely.

“He’s been able to accelerate as the innings progresses and we’re able to bat around him as well.

“From a bowling perspective, he’s probably bowled a little bit later in the innings than last year. I’ve come on a bit earlier and tried to tighten things up and then he’s come on as probably a more aggressive option and been able to get those breakthroughs for us (on Saturday).

“I’m enjoying bowling with him too.”

Damjanovski shared a crucial 99-run stand with No.4 Trent Lawford, who produced a devastating hand of 72 from 41 balls with five sixes.

The blitz helped the Clubbers post a healthy 8-209 from their 40 overs after winning the toss.

“We tried to get him a spot or two up the order,” Johnstone said of Lawford.

“He just needs 10 or 15 balls and he’s away. When he hits them, they stay hit.

“He hit some very, very big bombs and he’s a key player for us obviously with bat and ball, but having someone like that with the bat in this competition is pretty handy.”

Aberfeldie reached 9-153 in reply, with star recruit Tallan Wright making 54.

Ash Sweet (1-19), Johnstone (1-23), Shaun Weise (1-28) and Luke Destito (1-30) were the other wicket-takers.

Johnstone claimed the big wicket of opposing captain Craig Sheedy, knocking him over for three.

He was pleased with the performances of the club’s lesser known players, pointing to the efforts of Weise and Aaron Cheesley, who hit 21 from 17 balls at No.7.

“We had those standout senior performers, but it was good to see other guys play their part,” Johnstone said.

Yarraville Club will next face Westmeadows away from home in Round 3.