VTCA 2020-21: Sunshine chasing fourth consecutive premiership
After struggling in the VSDCA for several seasons, Sunshine’s First XI has become a genuine force in the VTCA. Here’s why.
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Sunshine is on the cusp of one of the most remarkable achievements in Victorian Turf Cricket Association history.
While four consecutive premierships is not unprecedented in the competition’s top grade, four promotions in succession is rarefied air.
Victory in the coming best-of-three Division 1 grand final series against Craigieburn would give the Crows a fourth first XI flag since they made the switch from the Sub-District association ahead of the 2016-17 season.
After scoring a Division 4 semi-final berth in their first summer, Sunshine is now vying for the opportunity to take on the VTCA’s elite in Senior Division.
It has been a swift rise for a club which struggled for several years in the Subbies before its defection.
The club believes it would no longer be in existence if it stayed put.
Despite the run of success, the Crows made no bold declarations before the first ball for 2020-21 was sent down, acutely aware it would face rivals of a higher-standard in an expanded 12-team grade.
“We’ve definitely exceeded our expectations this season and it’s a fantastic feeling to come from where we have,” president Michael Bezzina said.
“To win one (premiership) is good enough, but to potentially get four is even better.
“The trick is to keep your core players together, and I think Troy (Stone) as a coach and us as a club have done that.
“The people that we want to stay around do that, so it’s good.”
Sunshine finished the home-and-away rounds in fourth position and dropped its last two games – against minor premier Deer Park and West Coburg.
But the underdog lifted when it mattered most in a cut-throat semi-final to record a 20-run win over Deer Park.
The Crows posted 162 after losing the toss, with star skipper Stone displaying his class and punching out what proved a match-winning 97.
The Lions mustered 142 in reply, with Altamash Zaheer (3-26), Ravindu Dilshan (3-29), Amal Ranawaka Arachchige (1-10 from eight overs) and Charith Fernando (1-34) the wicket-takers.
“The last game we played West Coburg, and I’m going to be totally honest, I was pretty disappointed in the performances of some of the guys,” Bezzina said.
“I didn’t think we’d beat Deer Park, but Troy stood up when it mattered.
“I reckon it’s his best knock. Without that, we’re not in the grand final.
“It was pretty much chanceless until he went out. He was bowled off an absolute jaffa.
“We’ve got the experience there now being our fifth finals campaign in fifth years. Runs on the board and cool heads is what matters.
“There was a run out there that changed the game and a one-handed catch by Troy at slip.”
The first two games of the grand final series will be staged at Craigieburn’s D.S Aitken Reserve this weekend.
The third match, if required, will be played on March 27.
Sunshine prevailed by seven runs when the pair last met in Round 3.
“I think we’ve got five players who have played in all three flags, so the experience is there, which should hopefully give us a little bit of an edge,” Bezzina said.
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