Yarraville Club returns to VTCA Senior Division grand final, beating Aberfeldie

Yarraville Club is eyeing its first VTCA Senior Division premiership since 2017-18 after chasing down Aberfeldie in a thrilling semi-final.

Yarraville Club and VTCA Senior Division grand finals go together like bacon and eggs, you rarely have one without the other.

So it has proved for the past two decades with Clubbers reaching the decider for the 15th time in the past 20 years, winning 10 titles.

It’s been five seasons without a premiership at Hansen Reserve, a lengthy drought for the VTCA powerhouse, but it will have the chance to end that in a fortnight after booking its grand final ticket with a four-wicket semi-final win over Aberfeldie.

“We’ve probably got a slightly less heralded group than previous Yarraville Club teams that have been successful,” captain-coach Mitch Johnstone said.

“It’s pleasing to get to this stage with the team we’ve got, the two-day stuff probably suits us a lot better, which has proved to be the case since the format recommenced.”

Allister Powell in action for Yarraville Club.

After winning the toss at Clifton Reserve, Aberfeldie, last season’s grand finalist, posted a competitive 224 behind skipper Tallan Wright’s 54 and Cam West’s 48.

However, it proved too little as Yarraville Club chased it down thanks to Sangaran Nandhalal’s match-winning 66 not out and destructive knocks from Chinthaka Jayasinghe (51 from 40 balls) and Trent Lawford (42 from 40).

“It felt just on par, they were 2-113 at one stage and looking pretty good but we fought back really well a half-hour before tea and had the rest of the day go our way,” Johnstone said.

“In finals it’s a decent chase but with our two guys that can really get motoring, Lawf (Lawford) and CJ (Jayasinghe) in particular were pretty destructive.

“Sanga played a great innings, one of the better finals knocks you’ll see, and after a really slow start to the year but has come good at the right time and he’s our rock.”

While Nandhalal held the innings together, tail-enders Lachlan Campbell (13 off 102 balls) and Ash Sweet (10 not out) played critical roles in getting the team home.

“When I got out (at 5-133) I thought we were definitely behind the game but Lachie batted for the best part of two hours, he’s got a strong technique, and absorbed their pressure,” Johnstone said.

“Sanga just needed someone to bat with him, which Lachie was able to do and for a 19-year-old it was a really impressive accomplishment.

Yarraville Club all-rounder Chinthaka Jayasinghe. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We chipped away and then Ash gives us a lot of security at No.8 with his experience.”

It capped a strong performance from Sweet, who led the way with the ball, taking match-best figures of 4-47.

“He’s had a good year, Ash, he always engages the batter and makes the play,” Johnstone said.

“Our attack, it’s not scary but is really disciplined, and young Jackson (Martin) keeps getting the big wickets.

“He got Thurston out and he got (Haig Fawkner’s) Lakshitha out the week before, who’s the best bat in the comp, so he keeps getting the big guns.”

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Zach Mevissen (2-29) and Jack Sheppard (2-73) were Aberfeldie’s best with the ball.

Yarraville Club will meet the winner of next weekend’s postponed semi-final between Haig Fawkner and Deer Park.

The match was delayed due to ongoing court proceedings between Haig and the VTCA over suspensions handed out over charges of ball tampering.

As such the grand final will be delayed and is scheduled for March 25 and 26.