West Coburg out to avoid repeat of VTCA Division 1 North finals failure
West Coburg coach Anthony Alleyne scored a terrific century to put his team in a commanding position against Greenvale Kangaroos and the club is determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s finals exit.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
West Coburg learnt some harsh lessons about finals cricket last season.
A final-round loss to St Francis de Sales cost the Redbacks top spot and eventual VTCA Division 1 North promotion winners Haig Fawkner sent the club packing in the semi-final.
This season, West Coburg is locked in a three-way battle with Westmeadows and Glenroy for the minor premiership with two games to be decided.
VTCA: DRUIDS ROLL FLAG FAVOURITES FOR 69
LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEWS HERE
VTCA: CRAIGIEBURN ON CUSP OF HISTORIC FINALS
With a home final up for grabs, Redbacks captain Michael Rosendale said last season’s costly lapse in concentration would hold his team in good stead.
“Having that experience from last year, that will be very useful coming into finals,” he said.
“Finishing as highly as possible on the ladder is really important.
“Last year we fell to St Francis (in the last round) and lost top spot and in hindsight that was where we might have missed out on playing in a grand final.”
West Coburg have a firm grasp on first innings points after day one of their clash against Greenvale Kangaroos.
The Redbacks posted 4-269 thanks to coach Anthony Alleyne’s unbeaten 107 and Mohomed Feshal’s 97 at Greenvale Reserve.
The pair putting on 166 runs for the fourth wicket, executing the team focus perfectly.
“These next two games we want to put a lot of runs on the board because we haven’t played many (two-dayers) the last two years due to the rain,” Rosendale said.
The Round 12 win over Royal Park Brunswick could also prove critical.
The Redbacks claimed a comfortable nine-wicket win while their rivals were washed out after putting themselves in winning positions.
“We were lucky enough to get an hour of play in ... it’s huge,” Rosendale said.
Westmeadows, Glenroy and West Coburg were all locked on 48 points heading into Round 13, while Craigieburn is three points back in fourth.
After making 214, Westmeadows are well placed against PEGS, claiming a late wicket before stumps to have the visitors 1-40.
However, Glenroy is staring at an embarrassing upset after collapsing to 8-32 at the hands of hat-trick hero Nick Neagle.
“We’ve played a lot better at home this season and having a home final – if it does rain and not having to get a result — would be massive,” Rosendale said.
The semi-finals will be held over March 7-8 while the four-day grand final will run over consecutive weekends on March 14-15 and 21-22.