VTCA: Tom Taylor stunning debut for Altona North, the big performances
Altona North’s new English import has made a stunning start to life in the VTCA in a matchwinning display to highlight the competition’s return to action. See all the talking points.
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Altona North is already getting more than it bargained for with Tom Taylor.
In his first game since arriving in Australia from the UK, Taylor produced a dominant display with bat and ball to prove why he could be one of the key players for the remainder of the VTCA Division 1 season.
He plundered 98 runs off 149 on day one, before leading the way with the ball, taking 4-25 off 17 overs, as North moved into second on the ladder with a win over Oak Park St Francis de Sales.
Taylor’s captain, Luke Rainone, was quick to sing the praises of his teammate.
“He’s clearly an incredible cricketer,” he said.
“We knew he was going to be a very good bowler for us but his innings with the bat proved he’s going to be brilliant across the board.
“He did it comfortably and he was able to go through the different gears.”
While his individual impact was impressive, Rainone is more excited about the potential it has for the rest of the playing group.
“When you’ve got a player of that quality, it brings everyone else up,” he said.
“You can get another 10-20 per cent from other guys. Haydn Wilkinson went close to another 50, Tom Harrison made another half-century and Andrew Auciello had his best innings of the year.
“Nathan Patrick was back among the wickets which was a really good sign for us.”
Only trailing the Altona Roosters in the race for top spot, Rainone said “a lot of hard work to get the culture right, on and off the field” had led to the club being in this position.
“We’re currently seeing the rewards,” he said.
“The feel among the group is amazing, everyone is enjoying playing together. For the last few years, this competition has been extremely tight and we’re not taking anything for granted.
“There’s not a clear difference between the top and bottom of the table. Our goal this year has been to focus on ourselves and if we play our best cricket you hope you can come away with the result.”
KOCH BRILLIANCE STUN CLUBBERS
An inspired performance with bat and ball from Jonah Koch delivered Keilor one of its best wins in recent years on Saturday. The Blues handed VTCA Senior Division ladder-leader Yarraville Club its first loss of the season at Joe Brown Reserve. Defending just 166, Keilor skittled the premiership contender for just 136. After being sent in, Matthew Gaskett’s move to No. 3 in the batting order proved an inspired move as the former Paxino Medallist top-scored with 39. Koch added an invaluable 32 from 62 balls at No. 9, while Cameron Thorley added 27 to post a respectable total. A quick double strike from Ryan Metz had Yarraville Club 2-29 when he removed James Damjanovski and Michael Hill. It was 3-34 when Koch snared his first wicket and 5-55 as Malith Cooray joined the party. Trent Lawford resurrected the Clubbers’ chase with a well-made 56 but when he fell to Koch it was all over, the visitors losing 4-0. Koch finished with a match-high 4-21. Keilor climbs to fifth, now 12 points outside the top-four.
SAINTS FLEX
Airport West St Christophers also pulled off an outright win over St Albans at Etzel Street on Saturday. In the end they had to settle for a 172-run first innings win. Nilanka Rukshitha (74) and Joel Brett (63) both made half-centuries, the pair putting on 127 runs for the fourth wicket. Ranga Cooray (37), Sachin Awishka (30), Ben Walkden (28), Ramindu Nikeshala (25) and Thisara Dilshan (24no) also made handy contributions as the hosts posted a massive 316 all out. Akila Isanka toiled valiantly for 5-98 from 26.3 overs. In reply, St Albans was all out 144, despite Sammika Perera’s 51 and Isanka’s 40. Airport West enforced the follow on but couldn’t quite finish the job a second time, the visitors finishing 5-114 at stumps.
FAWAD TOP CHARTS
Star spinner Fawad Ahmed claimed 3-46 to lead Deer Park to a 56-run win over Sunshine United and retain top spot on the VTCA Senior Division wicket-taker charts. The former Australia international now has 26 scalps for the season, four more than Mitch Johnstone in second place. Hashan Wanasekara top-scored with 67 as the Lions made 224 all out. Another former international, United captain James Muirhead snared 4-51. In reply, Sunshine United couldn’t find that one score to challenge the hosts as four players made 25 or more but Matt Sipala and Buddika Algwewatta top-scored with 33. Alongside Ahmed, Upul Bandara also claimed three wickets, 3-25.
CAPTAIN’S KNOCK
An impressive century from Sydenham-Hillside captain Anthony Alleyne proved the difference as the Storm edged Craigieburn by 56 runs at Hillside Reserve on Saturday. Batting first and falling to 2-3, Alleyne’s 139 from 179 balls powered the hosts to 6-306. Alleyne hit 17 boundaries and a six in his matchwinning knock. Anthony Barton added 71 in a 148-run third-wicket partnership, while Tallan Wright scored 51 not out and combined with Alleyne for a 102-run fourth-wicket stand. Half-centuries from Eagles captain Sam Laffan (55) and Chathura Patabedige (74) gave Craigieburn a sniff but the mountain was too tall. The visitors all out 249. Tim Grech (3-31) and Sanka Abeyruwan (3-66) the pick of the Storm bowlers.
HEY, ARNOLD
A virtuoso bowling performance from Henry Arnold set up Aberfeldie’s dominant eight-wicket win over Westmeadows at Willowbrook Reserve on Saturday. Arnold claimed an impressive 7-41 last week as the Warriors were skittled for 113. Arnold removed Westmeadows skipper Donovan Pell and openers Michael Pell and Stephen Mihelakos-James to have the hosts 3-11. He then ripped through the middle and lower order in his second spell. Chathura Deshapriya chipped in with 3-27. Paul Sammut backed up his breakthrough 114 in the last game before Christmas with a match-high 69, while Danushka Wijemanna added 54 as Abers declared 7-215. Eyeing an outright, Aberfeldie had Westmeadows 4-124 at stumps. Arnold could only manage 0-44, while Michael Pell scored a bounce-back 63 not out to save his team.
DOUTTA STARS GAIN ADVANTAGE
Doutta Stars sits in fourth place, leading the race for the final position for the business end of the season. It comes after a 50-run win over PEGS as recruit Tom Buchanan showed his clash with 5-90 from 90 overs to lead his side across the line. Jurgen Andersen took three wickets to take his tally to 11 for the season from five games. Buchanan has now played three games for the club.
SEDDON KEEPS TOUCH
If Seddon is to play Division 1 finals, they can pinpoint a four-wicket win over third place Sunshine as the starting point. After conceding 8-301 on day one, the home side was propelled to their second win of the season as Tom Foulds led the way. Unfortunately for Foulds he was dismissed on 99 by Charitha Jayampathi.
A SPECIAL MOMENT AT WILLIAMSTOWN IMPERIALS
Williamstown Imperials are flying on top of the Division 2 ladder and the club had plenty of reason to celebrate in the latest round. Under-18s captain Lachie Elmore was handed his First XI debut in the win over West Coburg St Andrews and he made his debut under the leadership of dad, Lee, who is the captain. Lachie has taken 30 wickets across all forms this season at an average of 12.63.
“Our U18 captain has shown time and time again his dedication, passion, and hard work both on and off the field. Lachie constantly strives for greatness and is more than deserving of this incredible opportunity,” the club said ahead of the game.
POINT COOK CENTRALS STATEMENT
In Division 3, Point Cook Centrals proved why it’s in the mix for the premiership after a statement 29-run win over Caroline Springs. After being bowled out for 110, Mayank Sharma led the attack with 4-23 to have the visitors all out for 81.
WERRIBEE CENTRALS UPSET WIN
Sunshine YCW suffered one of the upsets of the Division 4 season after going down to Werribee Centrals by 49 runs. Centrals had posted 249 on day one and eventually rolled YCW for 200 as Jacob Russell led the way with four wickets. Tarique Jeffrey was also influential with 3-51. The victors now sit seventh on the ladder, 10 points outside the top-four.
WILKS CELEBRATES HIS MILESTONE
Andrew Wilks celebrated his 200th game recently for Bellbridge and he is showing no signs of slowing down. He hit a 50 on day one against Laverton before following it up with 3-8 as the visitors were routed for 60. Wilks took a single wicket in Laverton’s second innings.
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