VTCA 2020-21: Sunshine United claims first Senior Division premiership
Sunshine United has come from seventh in 2019-20 and 1-0 down in the grand final series to claim a remarkable Senior Division flag.
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A Victorian Turf Cricket Association restructure saved Sunshine United from relegation in 2019-20.
The Tigers finished in second-last spot on the Senior Division ladder, which in previous summers would have resulted in a drop to Division 1.
On Sunday, Sunshine United created history by claiming its maiden premiership in the VTCA’s top flight, defeating Doutta Stars by 12 runs at Selwyn Park in the deciding match of the three-game grand final series.
After copping a nine-wicket loss in game one, the Tigers rebounded with a five-wicket victory on Saturday before securing its 15th First XI flag.
President Mark Dalrymple declared it a “huge achievement”, with the club dodging relegation when the top grade expanded to 10 teams this season.
“It was pretty emotional,” Dalrymple said.
“Without gloating, I think it’s our best ever win in our history.
“We go back 70-odd years and our first premiership was in the late (19)60s, and I suppose that would have been the best one, but after that I think this will be our best ever given it was over three days, all one-dayers.
“I’ve thought about that myself and how hard that must be.”
After losing star opener Patrick Willach (9), the Stars appeared to be cruising at 1-71 in pursuit of Sunshine United’s 163 in the decider.
But gun medium-pacer Nalin Amarathunga (2-24) claimed the big wickets of Hamish Moore (37) and Brenton Parchment (35) to reduce the visitors to 3-80.
On a slower outfield amid the pressure of a grand final run chase, the Tigers sensed an opportunity once they had removed the Stars’ top-three batsmen.
They ultimately lost 9-80 to be bowled out for 151, with spinners Kaushal Lokuarachchi (2-20) and Roshan Laksiri (2-29) also firing with the ball.
“We took our catches, a couple of run outs, and scoreboard pressure is massive in a grand final,” Dalrymple said.
“A couple of our slow bowlers came to the fore.”
Earlier, prolific No.3 Tom Duxson (56) stood tall with the bat, along with skipper Neetan Chouhan (37 from 37 deliveries) and Amarathunga (23 from 18).
Duxson, 22, finished the season with 594 runs at 42.4 – the second highest tally in Senior Division – and hit scores of 62, 43 and 56 in the grand final series.
“He has leadership written all over him, and it’s such a famous name at Sunshine United,” Dalrymple said.
“He held us together and did an amazing job.
“He really is a Sunshine United person and you can’t buy that stuff … it’s precious.”
Amarathunga finished as the competition’s leading wicket-taker with 30 at 11.7 apiece.
He claimed 4-18 in the second game of the series and also produced some important knocks with the bat during finals despite carrying a PCL injury.
“He’s really come of age that young bloke,” Dalrymple said.
“He’s a big-game player and a really good all-round cricketer.”
Dalrymple said the leadership and experience provided by the returning Chouhan and marquee recruit Lokuarachchi proved crucial.
He also credited David Dodemaide, who “left no stone unturned in getting the best out of his players and himself” as he became a premiership coach in his second season at the helm.
“Everything was prepared well. There was nothing left in the bank,” Dalrymple said.
“It’s his first time coaching a senior side to a flag as well, so it was fantastic for him.”
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