West Coburg keeps its VTCA season alive with critical win over Sunshine

A captain’s knock from Michael Rosendale and a pair of fiery pacemen have helped keep West Coburg’s season alive in a critical win.

Evan Cole in action for West Coburg.

West Coburg is finally on the board in 2021-22 and eyeing relegation survival.

With their season hanging by a thread, the Redbacks produced their best cricket when it was so desperately needed, knocking off VTCA Division 1 grand finalist Sunshine by eight wickets on Saturday.

Evan Cole and Peter Goulding took 3-15 and 3-37 respectively before skipper Michael Rosendale scored a season-high 60 to seal victory, chasing down 141 with 10 overs remaining.

The victory brings West Coburg with six points of PEGS and Altona Roosters, reviving the relegation battle with three games remaining.

Redbacks coach Michael Pratt said the result proved what his team was capable of.

Pas Triulcio of West Coburg. Picture: Julian Smith

“We obviously needed to get the win, sitting at the bottom of the table, it’s an area we don’t want to be in,” he said.

“I think we’re more than capable of doing this week-in, week-out.

“We put the pieces together on Saturday … and we’ve got three games to go – Tulla, Penleigh Essendon Grammar and Altona North – which I think are all winnable games.

“We’ve got to win two of three, if not three of three, to cement ourselves in the grade and turn our attention to next season.”

Sunshine batted first after winning the toss at Morris Reserve and were in immediate trouble.

Cole and Goulding combined to reduce the visitors to 3-18 and 4-35 before Thilina Masmulla (48) led a fightback.

However, the Crows lost 3-1 to be bowled out for 141.

“They won the toss and elected to bat, which we thought was an advantage, the wicket was fine but it’s always nice to bowl first on Morris,” Pratt said.

“We got their main bats out, Troy (Stone) and Kaushal (Lokuarachchi), pretty cheap and then we had to deal with Masmulla, who’s a very good batter, but we picked up key wickets at key times.

“Ev Cole has had a really good year, he’s bowling as good as he’s ever bowled.

Michael Rosendale in action for West Coburg.

“Pete was first change at the start of the year and with myself being out we decided to do things differently and he’s come on in leaps and bounds.

“Ev’s taken nine wickets in three games and Pete’s got eight in his last two. They’re two blokes that I think would slot in anywhere, in any club, to be opening bowlers.”

Moving himself up to opener, Rosendale then combined with Janith Wijesekara for a 109-run opening stand.

Pas Triulcio (20 not out) and Pawan Edirisinghe (11 not out) then finished the job.

“We were finally able to go out and execute (with the bat) and get off to a flyer instead of being three or four for 40 like we have been,” Pratt said.

“If we can keep sides to 150 we should be able to go out and get the runs, we just haven’t done it all year.

“When we get off to a good start like that, play with a bit of positive intent, it sets the game up and makes chasing 140 an easier target.

“Full credit to Rosey, he got down early at 10.30 in the morning for a few extra throwdowns and have a hit before the game and it’s reaped rewards.

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“He put the pressure on himself to go up and open and try and turn his form around, which he’s done extremely well.

“He and Janith had clear, positive intent from the start and that gave the boys on the sidelines confidence as well.”

West Coburg faces Tullamarine on Saturday before a potential relegation decider against PEGS in a fortnight, while Sunshine will look to bounce back against Deer Park.

Elsewhere on Saturday, the Lions (9-218) continued their undefeated season, beating second-placed St Francis de Sales (8-192), Seddon (6-175) upset Airport West St Christophers (174), Altona North (1-114) claimed the derby against Altona Roosters (112) and Tullamarine (7-181) edged PEGS (120).