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LEADING EDGE
VICTORIAN TURF CRICKET ASSOCIATION (VTCA) - OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
VTCA WET WEATHER
TELEPHONE INFORMATION SERVICE
Saturday Competition : 9517 6688
Sunday Competition : 9517 9288
Issue 118 : Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
FROM THE
EDITOR
*Senior Division Back to Back Champions Yarraville
Club.
The Kookaburra Sports Senior Division
Team of the Year is published, numerous
GF articles from local news outlets are also
great reading and give’s those teams who
won the grand finals a wonderful record to
remind them of their achievements.
Included is an in-depth end of season review
and sign off from VTCA President Steve
WELCOME to the 118th issue of the McNamara, there is also some insightful
Leading Edge, the official Newsletter of the Question and Answer interviews with
Victorian Turf Cricket Association. premiership hero’s.
In this issue you will find all Grand Final To the all-conquering team at Yarraville
Scorecards, Best Player Medal voting Club, congratulations on winning back to
details are included for all seven First back Senior Division flags, very well
Eleven Grades, as well as the Final Ladders deserved.
of every Grade.
I wish all players and officials an enjoyable
off season we’ll be back in no time.
Enjoy the publication.
Daniel McNamara – Editor
Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
.
The Tigers have a talented young side and they
FROM THE DESK OF should be competitive in the top division
THE PRESIDENT immediately, particularly if they can recruit a
player with recent senior division experience.
Again, credit to the might of Yarraville Club
on claiming their tenth flag in a dozen years.
These guys have a phenomenal record and
clearly set the benchmark for all of our clubs
to follow in their professionalism, their
fighting spirit and their tightness in playing for
one another and their ability to share in each
players individual success.
I take my hat off to them, they never seem to
tire of success and always play their best
cricket with their backs to the wall.
Well done to Doutta Stars and their skipper
By Steve McNamara Brenton Parchment, they pushed that game to
the limit and not for a match winning century
Another season has come and gone in a flash to former Victorian allrounder Will Sheridan
and already preparations are underway for would have won his game.
season 2018/19. Congratulations to all other premiership
Having now put Presentation Night behind us, winners on your team’s success this summer,
it is full steam ahead for finalising Division congratulations also to those players who have
structures for next summer. been nominated in Team of the Year sides and
The circulation of surveys to both club to all award winners throughout all grades.
administrators and players has been a very My sincere thanks to those people who have
valuable tool for planning and restructuring for worked so hard for the association throughout
next season. the past year.
Thank you to all of those who responded, your Our executive of Secretary Deanne Trewin,
input has been extremely invaluable. Some Treasurer Zoran Havrenek, Grounds Manager
interesting observations out of the surveys has Josie McNamara have all worked very hard to
been the different views by players to bonus maintain the high standards we continue to set.
points and this will be an area to be again Two great additions to the board this year have
looked at. been Joe Polzella and Neil Howard. Both these
It was pleasing to see relative newcomers guys have come in with some great ideas and
Sunshine get up and win a flag after some lean have been keen to contribute their vast
years for their club in the VSDCA. knowledge and experience. Similarly the old
It was also good to see Seabrook have some stager, Bill Wringe.
success in both 1sts and 2nds after some tough Well done for the outstanding work put in by
years. our Umpires Department this year led by
Westmeadows and Deer Park have been Umpires Director Stuart Edwards and his
threatening and on the verge for a while now sidekick Gary Houston. We still need to do
and have enjoyed some premiership success. It more with our umpires, but we are getting
will be interesting to see how these teams there.
progress in the higher divisions. May I finish by wishing everyone an
Sunshine United have enjoyed a season to enjoyable, safe and restful off season.
remember, not only claiming the North / West Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Division premiership but also the Association
wide T/20 Kookaburra Cup.
Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
So that was the VTCA 2017/2018 season done and
From The Secretary’s dusted. Enjoy your off season.
By Deanne Trewin
During the season we have had ball tampering,
players gone with 12-month bans, people called SENIOR DIVISION
cheats, public outcry and players crying crocodile
tears – NO wait that was the Aussie players and FINAL LADDER
Cricket Australia not the VTCA.
We had players front the tribunal – wouldn’t it be Yarraville Club 121.20
nice if we could go a whole season where no one
gets reported. Umpires wearing the wrong shirt, Seddon 120.90
clubs wearing colors instead of whites. Bonus
points and whether we should or shouldn’t have Doutta Stars 115.04
them. Discussions, opinions and comments on
Facebook about start times, covers and weather. In
some divisions the final 4 was not decided until the
Keilor 85.88
last home and away round. We had the umpires
show their support when one of their own was dealt Spotswood 82.44
some bad news. Clubs again were happy to support
Pink Stumps Day. Weather also played a part in Strathmore 73.55
some rounds not going ahead either too hot or too
wet. Greenvale 64.57
One thing that was fantastic to see was our
Inaugural Women’s Division, proudly sponsored Tullamarine 44.51
by Deer Park Club get under way this year. The
Ladies wore colors, some used their kids gear,
some of the ladies had been the mum on the side
Kookaburra Senior Division
lines whilst their kids played and had never played @ Donald McLean Reserve
before, by all accounts the ladies have had a blast
playing. With three clubs being able to field 4 Yarraville Club 6/226 (cc)
sides, hopefully a few more clubs can get on board
DEF
next season.
Overall, I think our season went well. We had the Doutta Stars 10/222 (cc)
T20 finals at Laverton which was a great day,
B Tupper 50* BA Parchment 4/76
weather gods were nice to us and congratulations to
Sunshine United in taking out the VTCA/T20 S Wigmore 69 BA Parchment 66
Kookaburra Cup. Apart from one day of not so
good weather during the course of the Grand final
W Sheridan 112*
weekends all games got a result, so congratulations L Ingram 52 ES Bronca 7/50
to the clubs that are Premiers for season 17/18.
For those club officials that are stepping down, it
has been a pleasure. To my family – thank you for
your support.
Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
probably the most amount of balls I’ve faced in my
CLUBBERS DOWN life.
DOUTTA ON WAY TO “But it was very, very satisfying.
BACK TO BACK FLAGS
“Backs against the wall and any time you perform
in a final or any game at all for this club, it’s
WHERE there’s a will, there’s a way. special.”
Without Will Sheridan, powerhouse Yarraville
Club might not be celebrating its eighth Turf
Cricket Senior Division premiership in the past 10
seasons.
It’s a remarkable record, and former Victorian
player Sheridan delivered a remarkable match
winning innings under immense pressure in the
decider against Doutta Stars.
The 30-year-old took 266 balls to craft an unbeaten
112 after the decider stretched into the fourth day * Emmett Bronca and Yarraville Club celebrate a
after rain forced play to be abandoned without a wicket.
ball being bowled on Saturday.
It was also Sheridan’s maiden century for the club
The Clubbers resumed at 6-155 on Sunday in and came after Stars captain-coach Brenton
pursuit of the Stars’ first-innings total of 222. Parchment had destroyed the top order.
Sheridan and Ben Tupper (50 not out) steered their
team to 6-226, combining for an unbroken 131-run
stand. “I wasn’t thinking much to be honest,” Sheridan
said of the Clubbers’ top-order collapse.
“I was just trying not to get out and playing like it
was any other game.
“The ball was reverse swinging quite early and we
were able to combat that and put on a couple of
good partnerships.
“Our mantra throughout the year has been we can
win from any position. Everyone in the team is
really competitive.”
* Will Sheridan produced a superb knock in the
decider.
When you consider five of Yarraville Club’s top-
six batsmen contributed single figures and they
were almost beaten at 5-39 and still struggling at 6-
95, Sheridan’s performance — and the support he
received from Tupper — will not be forgotten in a
hurry.
“We were obviously under a fair bit of pressure,”
Sheridan said. * Emmett Bronca celebrates wicket for Yarraville Club.
“I couldn’t believe last week that I was on 70-odd
not out. It just felt like I was blocking them and it’s
Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
Yarraville Club could have been left to chase a
greater target had it not been for another virtuoso DOUTTA WILL USE
display from Emmett Bronca, who snared 7-50.
PAINFULL LOSS AS
Bronca also claimed 12 wickets in the 2016-17
grand final, confirming his status as a big game
DRIVING MOTIVATION
player.
DOUTTA Stars captain-coach Brenton Parchment
says he hopes the hurt of Sunday’s Senior Division
“I think he deserves man of the match, personally,”
grand final loss will drive his side to glory next
Sheridan said.
season.
“I know how hard it is to take wickets and he does
it in the big games. He bowled beautifully.” The Stars went down by four wickets against
powerhouse Yarraville Club, which claimed its
eighth flag in the past decade.
Former Victorian all-rounder Will Sheridan was the
difference, compiling an unconquered 112 after the
Clubbers were on the ropes at 5-39 on day two.
In partnership with wicketkeeper Ben Tupper, who
made an unbeaten 50, Sheridan steered Yarraville
Club from 6-95 to its 222-run target and Turf
Cricket’s ultimate prize.
* Adam Contessa bends his back for Yarraville Club.
Parchment gave his all, delivering 36 overs and
Sheridan joined the perennial contender on a three- claiming 4-76, while Lorenzo Ingram (1-33) and
year deal as a playing assistant coach in 2016-17, Damian O’Brien (1-26) were the other wicket-
and he is not planning on leaving anytime soon. takers.
He finished the season with 490 runs and 16 After a washout on Saturday, the third day proved
wickets and played a key role with bat and ball fruitless for the Stars as Sheridan and Tupper
during the finals. dominated proceedings.
“It’s a pretty good place to play — beautiful pitch, “We probably still think we should have won. We
great club, really great blokes,” Sheridan said. just didn’t have enough in the tank come the final
day,” Parchment said.
“The club has had success over a long period of
time. The Stars skipper said his side toiled on a pitch
which offered little for the bowlers.
“People think we just rock up and win games, we
don’t. Every single time we play, you’ve got to “It certainly had a lot less grass and it was two
scrap and scrap to win. different wickets,” Parchment said.
“We just fight and it’s bloody good to play for a “But credit to them, they batted well.”
team that plays like that.”
Parchment said he hoped the defeat will increase
his side’s desire to go one better next summer.
By Luke D’Anello “Hopefully this will make them a bit more hungry,”
he said.
Leader News
“We are still a very young group, still learning the
craft.
“A lot of the guys are just starting to understand
their games. The prospects are good.
Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
“All these guys have got a lot of room to improve.
Hopefully we get more hungry, work harder next DOUTTA’S STAR DUO
season and
SHARE PAXINO
“I am sure we can push them even further and get
one up on them.”
MEDAL
The dynamic duo from Doutta Stars have shared
Parchment, who has re-signed with the club for
the 2017/18 Senior Division Paxino Medal. When
2018-19, said he was confident most of the grand
final side would return for another flag tilt. you mention Doutta’s dynamic duo you
immediately think of inspirational skipper Brenton
“That’s the plan. At the moment I don’t think Parchment and fellow West Indian teammate
anyone is going anywhere,” he said. Lorenzo Ingram.
This time however it is Ingram and first year
“We will be a fairly competitive group next year,
fingers crossed.” English import Aron Nijjar.
The Douuta Stars pair took out the prestigious
By Tim Mitchell award with 24 votes, just one vote clear of
Yarraville Club’s Konrad Kurta.
Leader News
Third place was shared by Seddon teammates Ben
Speake and Lahiru Jayaratne with 17 votes apiece.
SENIOR DIVISION
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Ben Speake Seddon
Will Sheridan Yarraville Club
* Lorenzo Ingram sends one down.
Konrad Kurta Yarraville Club
Ingram the 35 year old Jamaican allrounder
Lorenzo Ingram Doutta Stars had arguably his most consistent year in the
VTCA leading the batting aggregate for the
Aron Najjir Doutta Stars competition with 695 runs at 63.18, with a top
Brenton Parchment Doutta Stars score of 114 no and 23 wickets at 15.91 with a
best bowling of 6/31.
Andrew Cullen © Yarraville Club
Nijjar the 23 year old from Essex enjoyed a
Sam Davies Keilor wonderful season in Melbourne with 26
wickets at an average of 15.54 and a best
Ben Tupper (WK) Yarraville Club
bowling of 5/60.
Tim Moses Seddon
Unfortunately, Nijjar had to return to the UK
Alan Wise Spotswood after the Semi-Final, had he been available for
the Grand Final, the result may have been
different, given his form throughout the
season.
Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
With the bat Aron was most productive with
518 runs at the healthy average of 51.80 and a
top score of 146 no.
Konrad Kurta can consider himself unlucky to
miss out on a medal with 636 runs and 8
wickets for the season.
Seddon pair Ben Speake and Lahiru Jayaratne
tied for third place.
PAXINO MEDAL
VOTES 2017/18
Player Club Votes
Lorenzo Ingram Doutta Stars 24
Aron Nijjar Doutta Stars 24
Konrad Kurta Yarraville Club 23
Ben Speake Seddon 17
Lahiru Jayaratne Seddon 17
*Essex and Doutta Stars young gun Aron Nijjar.
Sam Davies Keilor 16
William Sheridan Yarraville Club 14
Tim Moses Seddon 14
John Taylor Seddon 13
Brenton Parchment Doutta Stars 12
Alan Wise Spotswood 11
Anthony Barton Greenvale 11
Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
Relief and then elation that we’d pulled off
Q & A with Yarraville something pretty special.
Coach Justin Baker You have had much success throughout your
career, where does this win rank amongst
your achievements?
Right up there. It’s up there, we’ve been in some
positions in grand finals and the greatest
achievements have been when we have been backs
to the wall, 9 down with 30 runs to get, this game
5/35. There the games and the wins in a career that
rank up there pretty high and are the most
enjoyable because it’s a collective, it’s 11 people
contributing to it.
In 30-40 time if I’m still kicking, you’ll run past
that bloke you played in the grand final with and
you’ll always have that bond, you’ve always got
*The coach can now put his feet up and relax. that time together that’s special and that lives on
forever.
Congratulations on your Grand Final win,
How many flags is that for you now at
did the game play out as you had planned
Yarraville Club?
despite missing the first two days’ play?
10 flags from 12 grand final appearances. In my
fourteen years here, we lost two semi-finals to
Not exactly, it was a hard decision to have a bowl South Caulfield and Greenvale and two losses
first given it was 30*C. We thought bowling first which were my first two years at the club.
on the Spotswood wicket would give us the most I count myself extremely lucky, good timing and
assistance because we know it’s going to flatten out the great personal at the club over the fourteen
to be a good batting deck. years – the strength and character of these people
Things probably weren’t going to plan at the end of have been pretty good.
day one when Wigmore got runs. Then on the
Sunday to be 5/35 we were looking at each other On a personal note, how would you rate your
rueing the decision not to bat first, we thought we
own season?
were in a bit of trouble.
Inconsistent I think. I suppose a little bit
To be honest with hindsight that days play lost on
disappointing for myself. As you start to get to the
day three was probably a blessing in disguise, it
end of your career you start wondering jeez have I
gave us time to regroup, we then knew it was going
lost it, what have I changed, what am I doing
to be a one innings game, so we had to play
different from what I did five or six years ago.
appropriately.
Little disappointing but everyone has chipped in
So, to answer your question no it didn’t play out as
throughout the year, the Greenvale game I got 70.
we planned.
Obviously, I’ve been able to contribute in my own
way; 1/ with the coaching side of things seeing
What was your immediate feeling after players come through and improve. That’s where I
winning the Grand Final? can hang my hat on, but it hasn’t been a season up
Relief. At 5/35 I didn’t like our chances but in there with my best but like they say, there’s always
saying that the players we still had to come are next year.
experienced, they’ve played a hell of a lot of
cricket and we knew the deck was good. Who amongst your teammates have
The ball was still moving around a bit, but they impressed you most this season?
seemed to have got used to it by the end of day There’s been a lot. I stand next to Benny Tupper in
two, so relief. slips, at 41 years of age we share the same
I was still a bit shocked when we left the ground philosophies on fitness, but it amazes me week to
and went back to the club and thought, jeez we’ve week how he get’s through. Towards the end of the
had a good win here. season he could hardly move and then in the grand
We have such self-belief, never did anyone utter final his performance was second to none. When
we’re not going to get out of this. The guys knew it’s time to stand up, he stands up and his
what they had to do and executed it very well. competitiveness and the way he goes about it is
fantastic.
Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
Bronc’s with a full-on work load with his CFA Of some of the quality young players coming
stuff limits what he can do at training but can still through, who will be the next big thing at
pull out those performances shows his character Yarraville Club?
and the way he approaches things. There’s a number of these guys, Kev Peiris, he’s
Andy Cullen and Konrad Kurta had great starts to played a number of games in the ones, there’s Raj
the year and looked like never getting out. Nand who’s coming through and he’s only super
Joey Blake is one of the younger guys, he’s fielding young but showing super maturity for his age.
has gotten a lot better and his bowling is a lot more Aaron Cheesley he’s another who’s played ones,
consistent and his batting, he’s seems not to be too we through these guys in at the deep end and get
fussed out there and James Damjanovski started off them used to it, let them understand it.
the season brilliantly with the ball. Understand what’s needed so they can go back and
I could seriously name every player in the side, work on their game and the next time they get
something that has impressed me by them in some called up they’ll be ready. I could name so many
part of the year. others, there’s so many kids that’s coming through.
Sherro’s performance in the grand final was one of We have a really good base now of young talent
the best innings I have seen, it just show’s how coming through that we are super excited about.
much he has matured in the last two years he’s
been with us. Overall he’s probably impressed me
the most just on that mental stage which I think is a
part of cricket which a lot of people really struggle
with.
Has anyone decided to retire on the back of
claiming the flag?
We all ache about how sore we are, but no one
seems to want to move on. No one seems to want to
leave this group so from all reports nobody will be
moving on at this moment.
We’ll have a chat in May to plan, but I don’t expect
any changes. *Justin Baker sweeps to the boundary.
Do you need to temper the enthusiasm Which opposition player gave you the most
sometimes of passionate players like Adam trouble this summer?
Contessa and Benny Tupper? Obviously Parchy. He’s a great competitor and
Not so much Adam, he’s played enough sport to very skilful cricketer. He showed that in the Grand
know when it’s time to mouth off and when it’s Final, he doesn’t mind getting in your face. He let’s
time to shut up, he’s been around the game both the bat and ball do the talking, he’s always a
cricket and footy for a long period of time, he’s challenge.
won two Paxino’s so he’s smart enough and ugly Alan Wise these sort of guys, you’ve got to show
enough to work it out for himself. them the respect they deserve, their all fantastic
Tupps on the other hand, he’s one of those guys, he cricketers.
does get fired up. I suppose it’s that adrenalin and The Poms from both Seddon and Keilor were good
competitive spirit which get’s him up each week bowlers this season, who troubled us a bit.
and helps him preform at his best but there’s times
in the year when each player you have to say boys
don’t worry about it, move on. Which bowlers have troubled you most in
Everyone’s had their moments but yeah Benny and your distinguished career?
Adsi, their great characters and the one’s you need At the start Darrel Brown, it took me about three
to get you out of situations like we found ourselves seasons to work him out, that might have coincided
in in the grand final. with him slowing down a bit.
There are times when you need to have a bit of a Ian Hewitt got through me a bit and it took me a
word, but we’ve always prided ourselves on the few seasons against him to leave the ball, he could
way be portray ourselves out on the ground in a work you out pretty quick and is probably the one
professional manner and I think the boys do it well. I’ve had the most trouble with.
Chachie from Greenvale with his left arm ortho’s,
we’ve had some good battles over the years. He’s
Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
probably the biggest challenge I have had from a He stood up, gave us a five-minute chat saying I
spin perspective. need you guys to be with me and keep the voice up
For in your face, Jeremy Brown was one I enjoyed and I’ll go through these guys and he did getting 7
mixing it with. for and we won reverse outright.
Each of those guys are fierce competitors but If you speak to the guys at South Caulfield they
would enjoy a beer at the end of the game. couldn’t believe what he was doing the ball that
day.
Who is the biggest pest in the change room? His efforts over the years in grand finals has been
Without a doubt Emmett Bronca. Without a doubt phenomenal. He just leads from the front and takes
he’s a serious pain in the arse. The amount of years the onus on himself to map out how the game goes.
he’s led from the front and I suppose the size of Both Tocha and Bronc’s, they are the best I’ve seen
him, there’s not too many people who are going to leading from the front.
take him on. He’s always playing pranks, I won’t
go into some of the things he gets up to but there’s What does the off season hold for Justin
forever things going on, there’s forever things Baker?
going missing, things get planted in people’s bags, At the moment I’m doing up the fishing lines
it’s an interesting place to be. getting ready for a fishing trip I go on with the old
James Damjanovski is another, there’s never a man and about fifteen mates off to Bemm River in
moment he hasn’t got his phone out catching you East Gippsland.
doing something stupid and posting on Facebook or Obviously with coaching and committee
Messenger amongst the boys. commitments at the club it doesn’t really stop for
It’s actually quite fun in the rooms with these sorts us, planning for next season, assessing my own
of blokes around. Bronc’s and James would be the game, assessing others.
biggest pests. Spend some time with the missus, I’ve banked up
six months’ worth of jobs around the house. The
missus is keen for Saturday and Sundays to spend
You have played with some great players, some quality family time with the kids. Tick of
who is the best you have seen? those jobs on the list to get done around the house.
It seriously pains me to say it but the best from a Thanks Grub, great talking to you as usual,
batting perspective would have to be Michael enjoy your off season.
O’Keefe. I’m not just saying that because I played
with him but he got to a point in his career where Thanks Macca, great talking to you too.
he had done some fabulous things, made some
brilliant hundreds in finals but he hit a low point
where he got only 200 runs in a season, he come to
me and said I think I’m done, my achilles is gone,
I’m in pain all the time, I’m not loving it anymore.
I managed to talk him around, I think that was the
season we played Youlden in the first round. I think
he made a thirty and then proceeded to make a fifty
of more in every innings for the rest of the season.
That was easily the most impressive thing I have
seen on a cricket field and over a season.
To make over a thousand runs in the old format of
a 11-game season, was in my eyes one of the most
amazing things I’ve seen and to get pipped at the
post for a Paxino by Scotty Porter was hard to
believe.
For a bowler has to be Bronc’s, the amount of pain
I see him go through , his work ethic, the way he
goes through it at training and in a game, his
excitement around the boys, his leadership skills
and his obvious skill with the ball, you always feel Proud Sponsors of
your in the game when Bronc’s is bowling.
He’s pulled out some of the best bowling spells VTCA U/21’s
I’ve seen, the one against South Caulfield you’d
remember, you saw it, our backs against the wall, Representative Squad
we were all dejected.Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
NORTH WEST SUNSHINE UNITED
DIVISION DIG IN FOR FLAG
FINAL LADDER WIN
- NORTH WEST DIVISION -
Druids 100.72
Altona North 100.69
Sunshine United 92.60
Haig Fawkner 89.11
----------------------------------
Aberfeldie 88.84
West Coburg 88.61
St. Albans 83.33
Craigieburn 73.32
AWSC 71.34
PEGS 67.48
Keilor Park 55.98
Laverton 47.25
* Tigers skipper Chouhan plays forward
North West Division Sunshine United produced a gutsy final day effort
to secure the draw it needed to clinch the Victorian
@ Laverton Park Turf Cricket Association north-west division
premiership.
Sunshine United 3/219
Drew Set a massive 414 for victory, the Tigers were
robbed of a full day’s play when Saturday was
Haig Fawkner 8/413 (dec) washed out.
But that meant they needed only to avoid losing 10
wickets on day four to be crowned premiers.
N Chouhan 79 The Tigers had no issues on the final day, finishing
W Parker 159 D Soysa 67 ID Gange 43 on 3-219 off 96 overs.
Tigers captain Neeten Chouhan said two factors
S Dalrymple 56 worked in their favour – a pitch that aided the
S Abeyruwan 54 D Priyadarshana 38 batsmen and a positive mindset.
SS Nandhalal 46 “The wicket was slightly dried, which made it a bit
more harder to play shots, but … it was still a good
L Sheridan 4/97 batting wicket and they had to grind really hard to
get any wickets,” he said. “We made sure we
stayed positive.”Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
Chouhan played a captain’s knock of 79. He
combined with Scott Dalrymple (56) and Sangaran Q & A with Sunshine
Nandhalal (46) to frustrate the life out of the Haig
Fawkner bowlers. United Opener Scott
“It was important we didn’t expose the tail to the
nervousness of just trying to block out,” Chouhan
Dalrymple
said. “It was hard going – they bowled really well
and they had a second new ball, which got Congratulations on your Grand Final win,
wickets.” must have been tough in the field for two
days?
Sunshine United’s batsmen were under siege all Yes, it was they took advantage of the good
day. conditions and kept us out there. It was tough on
the second day but my thoughts were they would
The Haig Fawkner players were lippy and fielded
declare late in the day which they did with 15 overs
around the bat, and their bowling was spot-on for
to go.
the most part.
It was good for me as I’m a bit of a plodder but
But the Tigers blocked out the noise, played their would have been a bit outside Neets’s comfort
game and got the desired result. zone, but he led from the front.
“They were pretty boisterous and had six or seven What was your immediate feeling after
guys around the bat,” Chouhan said. winning the Grand Final?
“It was a typical, hard four-day type of cricket, but For the blokes that played in last years game, it was
that made the win very sweet.” a bit of relief, but it was a different feeling for me.
I was just happy to play in another premiership.
It was a redemption game for Sunshine United. The Having won against the top team in the last round
Tigers wanted to avoid at all costs the feeling they to even make the finals gave us the feeling we
experienced in losing a grand final to Seddon last deserved to be there.
summer. Our goal over the last five years has been to get
back into Senior Division having not been there for
“We’ve known the other side of the coin – losing in
about 15 years so it’s a relief getting there.
a game when the opposition scored over 400 runs,”
Chouhan said.
After having to chase a huge score in last
“This year, we made sure we stayed focused season’s GF, was there a feeling amongst the
throughout the four days.” group of here we go again?
Yes, there was, it was a bit of a feeling of Déjà vu.
The flag win has secured promotion to the VTCA’s
It was a great batting wicket, so we said we will
top division for the Tigers.
give it a crack and see how we go.
For coach Terry Nicholls, that is mission Having beaten them in the last round gave us some
accomplished. confidence against them so we backed ourselves
and we came through.
The Tigers will celebrate the success, but it will not
be long before Nicholls is back in planning mode
for their return to the senior division.
*Neeten Chouhan (left) & Scott Dalrymple heading out
to open the Tigers innings.Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
On a personal note, how would you rate your Druids were obviously the toughest, but Altona
own season? North were really tough as well. Druids are very
I would have liked more runs obviously but having complete, they have a couple of quality allrounders
come up from the two’s I anchored a bit having and Altona North are a young side but were well
nothing really to lose. led by Hayden Wilkinson and their coach Murray
I was fortunate one of our stalwarts Daniel Pace Ring, they were really good and knew how to
ripped his Achilles off in a practice game, so I compete, so yeah, those sides were very hard.
came up I thought I’ll take the opportunity and play
to my strengths. I was lucky to have good guys Which opposition player impressed you most
around ne. this summer?
Nathan Patrick (Altona North) he’s a pretty good
Who amongst your teammates have bowler, he’s pretty sharp so he did and obviously
impressed you most this season? Leigh Wilson (Druids) he’s been a great allrounder
I’d have to say our captain Neets, he’s been with us for years now, he steps up he makes runs, he takes
now 3 or 4 years, I think he played first class wickets, so they’d be the two.
cricket in Zimbabwe – he really stood up for us this
year, especially after Christmas. He’s a confidence Are you looking forward to the challenge of
player, when he’s going well we tend to lift a Senior Division?
notch. Yes of course, we look forward to playing the best
We knew what he was capable of, but he really of the best, it will be a big challenge, but we’re
impressed me. looking forward to the challenge.
Another was our keeper Sanga, his batting
improved our side this season and he’s obviously Who is the biggest pest in the change room?
Probably Nick Millar, he’s one of my good mates
one of the best gloveman in our division. in the side but I’d say he’d be more of a pest to the
As you know when your keeper is going alright, it opposition than us.
lifts everyone up around him.
Any big recruits on the horizon?
You guys had an amazing run of form post- We’ve spoken to a few players but it’s early days
Christmas, what was the catalyst for that? so nothing firm yet. We hope to keep all our
We’d lost two games before the break and Terry players so that’s about it at the moment.
our coach said this is it, you should be in the four
going into Christmas and we weren’t, so he said we How big were the celebrations after the
have the talent let’s have a real tilt. Grand Final?
We lost the make up game to Airport West which Yes, it was pretty big, we went back to the club. A
put the wind up us a bit, but we settled and played few of us took the Monday off and we went into
good cricket after that. full om party mode.
We went out to the centre wicket at the ground and
Of some of the quality young players coming sung the club song and partied all night pretty
through, who will be the next big thing at much.
SU? How do juggle a role on the committee with
I’d have to say Thomas Duxson, he’s a young raw playing?
talent, he’s got a lot to offer, we sometimes forget It’s not too bad, we have a great committee and
he is only 19. He has good knowledge about the great supporters who are always helping me out.
game and played 1sts, 2nds, 3rds at Footscray. He’s
very mature and we have great hopes for him going In a club environment someone is always there if
forward. you ask for help, so I get a lot of support which
makes my life easier.
What does this flag mean to the club?
It’s a great privilege to get back into Senior
Division. Terry, Neets and the people behind the
scenes have done a great job and it’s a real reward
for them to get back up there, so it really means a
lot.
Who was the toughest team you faced this
season?Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
HOORAY, HOORAY
COORAY CLAIMS
ISAACS MEDAL
By Steve McNamara
Prolific Airport West / St. Christopher’s top *Cooray hits out.
order batsman Dinesh Cooray has claimed the
2017/18 Tony Isaacs Medal for the best player
in North / West Division edging out perennial
favourite Leigh Wilson from Druids and Geeth
Alwis from St. Albans by just one vote.
Cooray’s season included 418 runs @
TONY ISAACS
34.83, with a top score of 82 including five MEDAL VOTES
half centuries and 11 wickets @ 22.50.
2017/18
Cooray’s consistency was what appears to
have attracted the umpires votes but Player Club Votes
multiple Isaacs Medal winner Wilson was
Dinesh R Cooray AWSC 24
unlucky to not win the award again.
Leigh Wilson Druids 23
Wilson topped the run aggregates with 597
runs at an average of 45.92. The high Geeth Alwis St. Albans 23
standards he has set over many years may
Sanka Abeyruwan Haig Fawkner 21
have clouded the umpires voting this
season. Amit Chaudhary Haig Fawkner 20
Alwis also had a very good season which Michael Hay Druids 19
included 387 runs and 36 wickets and Matthew Frydas Altona North 16
would also consider himself unlucky not to
be a recipient of this award. Nathan Patrick Altona North 16
I believe Alwis will be plying his trade in Harsha De Silva West Coburg 16
country Victoria next season, his all-round
ability will be a big loss for St. Albans if
this is correct.
Wilson can take some solace in being
nominated as captain of the North / West
Team of the Year as voted by his peer
captains.Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
NW Division Team of North/ West A1
the Year
Leigh Wilson - Captain Druids @ Hanmer Reserve
Warren Parker Haig Fawkner
Harsha De Silva West Coburg Westmeadows 181 & 8/159
Michael Hay Druids DEF
Sanka Abeyruwan Haig Fawkner
St Francis De Sales 158
Dinesh R Cooray APWSCC
Sangaran Nandhalal - D Law 69* S McKay 31
WK Sunshine Utd B Harding 68 AJ Evans 2/21
Geeth Alwis St Albans G Lambeth 25 G Widdicombe 4/61
Amit Chaudhary Haig Fawkner SK Kamburugamuwa 4/24
Michael Pratt West Coburg KP O’Halloran 3/53 B Harding 2/21
Nathan Patrick Altona North C Jayasinghe 2/11
`
AJ Evans 50 D Law 36 L Smith 2/9
MD Costetello 2/25 B Harding 2/32
FINAL LADDER BY LAW,
- NORTH WEST A1 - WESTMEADOWS EARN
PROMOTION TO NTH
Westmeadows 125.15
WEST DIVISION
St. Francis De Sales 115.01
Royal Park Bruns’k 106.67 WESTMEADOWS was forced to dig deep by a
Altona Roosters 93.58 gallant St Francis de Sales to clinch the North West
A1 premiership on Sunday.
----------------------------------
Glenroy 89.89 The Warriors cantered through the second half of
the Turf Cricket season, stringing together six
Pascoe Vale Had’d 89.59 consecutive wins on their way to the decider,
Werribee Centrals 77.34 including a nine-wicket victory over the Saints.
Kingsville 53.28 The competition’s most-aggressive batting line-up
St. Andrews 51.60 displayed its fighting qualities in the grand final,
ultimately outlasting rather than blasting their way
Footscray United 44.62 to the title.
St Francis resumed at 6-122 when play restarted on
a rain-shortened third day at Hanmer Reserve.
Three early blows from Sathpath Kamburugamuwa
(4-27) threatened to flatten St Francis de Sales
before No. 3 Ben Harding and No. 11 Kane
O’Halloran dragged their side to within 23 runs of
Westmeadows’ first-innings total of 181.Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
Harding was the last man out for 68, bowled by
Kamburugamuwa, as St Francis de Sales was
dismissed for 158.
* Clayton Campbell clips a ball off his pads during the
North West A1 decider.
“It was pretty much bat for as long as we could, but
bearing in mind we had to score at a better rate than
* Man of the match Danny Law digs in for we did in the first innings,” he said.
Westmeadows.
At 4-64, Westmeadows was in danger of letting the “Just in case we lost some wickets, so we had a
Saints back into the contest on Sunday. total to defend.”
No. 5 Aaron Evans held the Warriors’ second The Warriors will be promoted to North West
innings together, sharing a 45-run eighth-wicket Division next season, the second tier of Turf
partnership with Kamburugamuwa (17) to lift their Cricket.
side from 7-114 to 8-159.
“More than half the side has played in that division
The contest was called and Westmeadows declared or higher previously,” Moughanie said. “With most
premier when Evans fell to Marcus Stubbs for 50 of the players, the better standard they play, the
and the Warriors held a lead of 182 runs with less better they actually play.
than 15 overs to play.
“I think we almost needed to go up to get more out
“When we looked at the team and the talent, we of ourselves.”
thought definitely a flag was realistic and probably
the expectation,” captain-coach Tarek Moughanie Danny Law was adjudged man of the match after
said. making 69 not out in the first innings and 36 on
Sunday.
Moughanie praised the patience shown by Evans,
who thwarted St Francis de Sales’ attempts to By Tim Mitchell
produce a reverse outright result.
Leader NewsIssue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
MOUGHANIE
CLINCHES McNAMARA
MEDAL WITH
BATTING
MASTERCLASS
Westmeadows Captain / Coach Tarek Moughanie
has stormed home to win the North / West A1
Steve McNamara Medal in his first season playing
in that division.
After taking over the reins at Westmeadows this
season after a prolific career in Premier and Senior
Division cricket, Moughanie took the early part of
the season adjusting to the tempo in the division
with lean returns including three single figure
innings before hitting his straps in Round 4 with
92.
Once in the groove the veteran opening batsman
piled on 708 runs at 47.20 and included two
centuries and three half centuries. His best was 174
against St. Andrews in Round 12.
Moughanie also chipped in with 16 wickets at
16.60 to remind opponents that he could still
effectively roll the arm over as well.
The Westmeadows Premiership captain won the
*Westmeadows Captain / Coach Tarek Moughanie
award with 30 votes, just one vote ahead of
celebrates the Warriors Premiership win.
Glenroy’s previous medal winner Steven Goodwin,
who was rather unlucky to not win the award again
with an unbelievable haul of 61 wickets for the
season at an astonishing average of 6.18.
This is the second consecutive year Goodwin has
taken more than 60 wickets after last season’s tally
of 69 on his way to winning the McNamara Medal.
In third place was Altona Roosters allrounder
Ashleigh Peters with 25 votes.
Moughanie’s season was undoubtedly topped off
with his team overcoming Altona Roosters to win
the North / West A1 grand final and gaining
Westmeadows promotion in to North / West
Division next summer.
To add to Tarek’s accolades for the season he was
named captain of the North / West A1 Team of the
Year.Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
STEVE McNAMARA FINAL LADDER
- NORTH WEST B1 -
MEDAL VOTES
2017/18 Deer Park 105.65
Player Club Votes
St. Andrews PV 99.14
Williamstown CYMS 97.07
Tarek Moughanie Westmeadows 30
Sunshine Heights 94.93
Steven Goodwin Glenroy 29 ----------------------------------
Ashleigh Peters Altona Roosters 25 Newport Digman 92.70
Aaron Maynard St. Francis De Sales 22 Point Cook 90.61
Daniel Hasenkam Royal Park Bruns 19
East Keilor 71.18
Williamstown Imps 70.77
Dean Pitts Pascoe Vale Had’ld 17
Wyndhamvale 70.31
Luke Smith St. Francis De Sales 17
M.P.S.M. 62.13
Ben Harding St Francis De Sales 16 West Newport 56.46
Aaron Evans Westmeadows 16 Sunshine YCW 52.87
NORTH WEST A1 North / West B 1
TEAM of the YEAR @ Ainsworth Reserve
Tarek Moughanie - Captain Westmeadows
Joshua Trembearth Pascoe Vale Hadfield Deer Park 10/217 (cc) & 118
DEF
Aaron Maynard St Francis De Sales
Luke Smith St Francis De Sales Williamstown CYMS 167 & 153
Ashleigh Peters Altona Roosters
George Panayi RPBCC T Collins 87 J Bonnici 31*
Tharanga Indika - WK Altona Roosters S Rajakaruna 94 & 48
Ben Harding St Francis De Sales R Suvada 30 T Jeffrey 6/60
Akila Isanka St Andrews Footscray B Gorton 30 J Bonnici 3/20
Sathpath Kamburugamuwa Westmeadows
G de Dilva 3/63, & 7/62
Steve Goodwin Glenroy NP Vedagedara 3/48 & 5/73
R Suvada 31* AR Walshe 3/51
R Suvada 2/36, 5/48
A Emmanuel 26
S Jilani 33Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
The Lions could not capitalise, though, with
LIONS BURY 2014/15 Kingsville chasing down the 195 target.
HOODO WITH One of the most heartbreaking days in Lions’
history has stuck with the players ever since.
BREAKTHROUGH In this season’s decider, Deer Park had a more
FLAG significant lead of 50 after the first innings against
Williamstown CYMS.
The ghosts of March 22, 2015, have finally been
But the Lions’ poor batting in the second dig,
cast aside for Deer Park with the seizing of the
scoring just 118 for a lead of 168, left the door ajar
2017-18 Victorian Turf Cricket Association north-
for CYs.
west B1 premiership.
The CYs appeared to be marching to victory in a
The bitter memories of that fateful day three years
similar fashion to Kingsville three years ago – but
ago came flooding back for the Lions on the final
this time Deer Park found a way.
day of their thrilling 15-run grand final win over
Williamstown CYMS at Ainsworth Reserve last The Lions managed to take the last four CYs
week. wickets cheaply to hold on for a famous victory.
Lions president Stephen Krstevski was relieved to
see the tide of the game turn – but it was far too
close for comfort.
“We looked gone for all money at one point,”
Krstevski said. “I had a chat to [all-rounder] Ricky
[Suvada] and we could see they were six down and
only needed like 25 runs.
“He said to me, it was like a flashback to the
Kingsville grand final, it was all coming back to
me. That still was really hurting us, so I think the
boys were keen to make amends.”
The fourth-day heroes for Deer Park were club
stalwart Suvada and Sri Lankan import Nilanka
Vedagedara, who performed a late rescue mission
with five wickets apiece.
In Vedagedara’s most impressive game for the
Lions, he took 5-73 in the second innings to finish
with eight wickets for the match.
“He sort of saved his best until the grand final,”
Krstevski said. “He was really bowling with some
heat in the second innings.”
Having been part of that 2014-15 grand final side,
it must have been soothing for Suvada to play a
match-winning role this time around.
“He really is the heart and soul of our club, the
*Tim Collins hits out on his way to 87 in the first spiritual leader,” Krstevski said. “He just loves the
innings. club and wants it to do well. He’s a hard trainer,
never misses a training session, so he’s a real
The two grand finals were eerily familiar, but poles leader.”
apart when it came to the emotions of the Lions
players post-game. In a grand final in which runs were hard to come
by, Tim Collins’ knock of 87 on day one will be
In the 2014-15 decider, Deer Park held a first- remembered at Deer Park as one of the great big-
innings lead, albeit a narrow five runs in a low- occasion innings in the club’s history. It combined
scoring game. with 30 from Suvada and 31 not out from JamesIssue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
Bonnici to allow the Lions much-needed breathing
space.
“Tim took it to the CYs bowlers,” Krstevski said.
“He went at it and really set it up for us on day
one.”
No longer will that Kingsville game linger in the
back of the minds of Deer Park people.
The Lions got their redemption and will now have
some hazy celebrations to remember.
Deer Park will move up to the north-west A1
division, where it will once again come face to face
with Kingsville.
By Lance Jenkinson
Star Weekly
JONATHON GRANT
WINS PICONE MEDAL *Marby Park’s Roy Picone Medallist Jonathon Grant.
Maribyrnong Park St. Mary’s allrounder Jonathon
Grant has won the Roy Picone Medal for the best ROY PICONE MEDAL
player in North West B1 for season 2017-18.
VOTES 2017/18
Grant won the award with 23 votes, one ahead of a
logjam three-way tie for second place which Player Club Votes
included Tarek Jeffrey (Williamstown CYMS),
Lewis Roberto (East Keilor) and Matthew Mason Jonathon Grant M.P.S.M. 23
(Newport Digman).
Tarek Jeffrey Williamstown CYMS 22
Third place went to Angelo Emmanuel from Deer
Park a further vote back on 21 and fourth place was Lewis Roberto East Keilor 22
his Deer Park teammate Ricky Savada on 20 votes.
Matthew Mason Newport Digman 22
Grant’s season included 316 runs at 22.60 with a
highest score of 96 mainly opening the batting and Angelo Emmanuel Deer Park 21
was even better with the ball claiming 30 wickets at
Ricky Suvada Deer Park 20
an average of 12.80 and a best bowling effort of
8/45 in the last home and away round against
Sunshine Heights.
Had Grant got one vote less, it would have been the
first ever four-way tie in a medal count in VTCA
history.
The North West B1 Roy Picone Medal was the
closest margin among all association medal
winners in 2017-18, we could have thrown a
blanket over six players, each having reasonable
claims on the award.Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
NORTH A1 33 YEAR DROUGHT
OVER FOR
FINAL LADDER SUNSHINE CROWS
- NORTH A1 - The premiership drought is over for Sunshine.
East Coburg 105.66 The 1983-84 champions will get to hand over the
tag of the Crows last first XI premiership-winning
Caroline Springs 104.97 team to a new batch of heroes.
Moonee Valley 102.63 The new murder of Crows secured a long-awaited
Sunshine 97.51 flag with a grand final win over Moonee Valley on
first innings at Kinder Smith Reserve at the
---------------------------------- weekend.
Sydenham Hillside 89.99 Crows captain Troy Stone has seen the ups and
Jacana 74.75 downs in his time at the club, but this will go down
as one of its finest moments.
Aberfeldie Park 62.57
“It’s been a long time coming,” he said.
Barkly St Uniting 36.25
“The club hasn’t won a first XI premiership since
1983-84.
“We were on our knees a couple of years ago and
didn’t know where to go and what to do, but we
North A1 made a good decision to leave [sub-district cricket]
and come back to the VTCA, so it’s onwards and
@ Kinder Smith Reserve upwards now.
“We’ll go up a division next season and prove our
worth up there.”
Moonee Valley 124
DEF BY
Sunshine 178 & 5/177
CE Silva 39
C Fernando 44* S Magnano 25
A Zaheer 6/15
A Dasanayaka Aluthge 31*
C Fernando 3/25
N Wolland 5/27 CE Silva 2/32
A Dasanayaka Aluthge 69
S Magnano 42* N Wolland
2/23 J Newman 2/61 *Sunshine’s Sam Magnano beats the field.Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
Sunshine looked a bit shaky early in the grand
final. The Crows had a stop-start innings to finish RAY SCRIVEN
with 178 off 64 overs.
Opener Sam Magnano (25) and top order batsmen
MEDAL VOTES
Stone (19) and Asela Dasanayaka Aluthge (31)
fought hard, but it was bowling allrounder Cherith
2017/18
Fernando who gave the Crows a chance with 44 not Player Club Votes
out.
Twice in Moonee Valley’s innings, it appeared as Caroline
Gayashan Weerasekara 29
though it was beginning to get on top. Springs
The Valleys made a positive start, advancing to 28
before the loss of the first wicket and were still in a Sameera Vithana Jacana 25
strong position at 4-96.
Kaluwahandi Prasad Syd / Hillside 25
That was before medium pacer Altamash Zaheer
unleashed havoc with 6-15 off 18 overs, including Amila Mendis East Coburg 22
nine maidens.
Zaheer left a trail of destruction through the Siddamarakkalage De
East Coburg 20
Valley’s batting line-up to be the key reason why Silva
they could only muster 124 in 67.1 overs.
Aluthge Dasanayaka Sunshine 20
“He stepped up in the key moment and pretty much
bowled us to a flag,” Stone said.
“He made the ball talk.”
Fernando was also important with 3-25 off 17.1. CAROLINE SPRINGS
Sunshine comfortably batted out the final day,
finishing on 5-177 and dashing any hope Moonee
700 RUN HERO TAKES
Valley had of an outright. SCRIVEN MEDAL
Magnano was unbreakable, batting the full 75 overs
to finish with 42 not out. Caroline Springs top order batsman Gayashan
Weerasekara has won the 2017/18 Ray Scriven
Dasanayaka Aluthge rounded out a strong summer Medal in North A1 by four votes over second place
with 69 in the second dig to finish on 758 runs at getters Samera Vithana from Jacana and
58.3. Kaluwahandi Prasad from Sydenham Hillside.
In the north west B1 grand final, Deer Park
survived a scare on the final day to be crowned Weerasekara took out the vote count with 29 votes,
premiers with a 15-run win over Williamstown Vithana and Prasad on 25, Amila Mendis (East
CYMS at Ainsworth Reserve. Coburg) on 22 and Sid De Silva (East Coburg) and
Aluthge Dasanayaka (Sunshine) each on 20 votes
The CYs needed 168 for an outright victory, but
fell short to be all out for 153.
Weerasekara batting predominately at four all
The stars with the ball for Deer Park in the second season compiled a handy 711 runs at an average of
innings were Nilanka Vedagedara (5-73) and Ricky 71.10 which included three centuries, four fifty’s
Suvada (5-48). and a highest score of 119 in the final home and
away round against eventual premier, Sunshine.
Tim Collins’ knock of 87 back on day one was the
key to the Lions victory.
Weerasekara has made Caroline Springs a
In the west A1 grand final, Grand United went significantly higher scoring side this summer
down outright in a thriller to Seabrook at Crofts culminating them qualifying for this season’s finals
Reserve. United needed 142, but were agonisingly in second place. Both player and club would have
bowled out for 130 in their second innings. been disappointed at getting bundled out of the
finals by losing grand finalist Moonee Valley,
By Lance Jenkinson Star Weekly given the club’s dominant year in this division.Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
The VTCA are hopeful Gayashan returns next
summer, if he does you would expect Caroline West A1
Springs to be right in the mix for next season’s
finals. @ Morris G McDonald Oval
Seabrook 175 & 117
DEF
Grand United 151 & 130
WA Eranga 67 J Collins 26
D Hinge 60 M Kinjevic 29*
A Hodgart 26 B Doll 2/13 & 2 /14
VM Weerakoon 4/57 & 5/42
W Donaldson 3/68 & 4/30
H Bavarva 3/32 D Patel 2/9
M Konjevic 2/42, 2/30
M Rayner 2/10
41 YEAR WAIT FOR
*Scriven Medal winner Gayashan Weerasekara
SEABROOK
FAIRYTALE
Seabrook was on edge until the very last ball of its
WEST A1 drought-breaking Victorian Turf Cricket
Association west A1 grand final win over Grand
United at Crofts Reserve on Sunday.
The Saints clinched their first 1st XI flag in 41
FINAL LADDER years, but were put through an emotional roller
coaster before delivering the knock-out blow on a
- WEST A1 - stubborn United late on the fourth day.
Saints captain Leigh Edwards was already mentally
Seabrook 115.05 worn out after a gripping opening weekend, but
that was further heightened on days three and four
Grand United 105.46 when wet weather played havoc on Saturday and a
fierce final day’s play on Sunday took a mental and
Williamstown Congs 95.61 physical toll.
Gellibrand 86.94 Edwards was just ecstatic to finish on the right side
---------------------------------- of the equation, winning outright by 11 runs.
Melton South Royals 74.79 “It was won, it was lost, it was won, it was lost and
then it was won – somehow we came out on top,”
Williamstown Colts 73.23 Edwards said.
Melton Centrals 64.96 “That’s been the most mentally and physically
Bellbridge 54.20 draining game I’ve ever played in.
Footscray ANA 53.76 “It was on for every single ball and you didn’t
know what the outcome was going to be
Flemington 48.13 throughout.Issue 118: Presentation Edition Editor : Daniel McNamara Email : leadingedge@vtca.asn.au
“There were ups and downs for the whole four United was coasting at 2-73 and seemingly in
days. control but lost 5-25 in quick time to be 7-98 when
the tail arrived at the crease.
“It was just unbelievable, the most challenging
game I’ve been involved in.” United’s hopes rested on the shoulders of middle
order young gun Ryan Comensoli, who fought
Seabrook held a 24-run lead after the first innings, bravely while the wickets fell around him.
but that was merely loose change in a four-day Comensoli, who made 24 off 70, eventually ran out
contest. of support and would be the final wicket to go as
The Saints needed to back up in their second dig United was all out for 130.
and try to bat Grand United out of the game but Vishva Weerakoon took the premiership clinching
failed to do so. wicket of Comensoli, finishing the innings with 4-
A stop-start innings saw Seabrook post 117 – a 57 and the match with nine wickets, sealing man of
flimsy lead of 141 runs. the match honours.
Only Jake Collins (26), Walgama Eranga (23) and Edwards praised both Weerakoon and the entire
Andrew Hodgart (26) offered up any kind of Saints bowling unit.
resistance in the top order. “It was a well-deserved award,” Edwards said. “He
It could have been worse for the Saints, a lot worse, was just a class above and proved it with nine
had it not been for a stoic 31-run ninth wicket wickets in a grand final.
partnership between Casey McNaught (13 off 78) “My bowlers all year have done the job for me.
and Hitesh Bavarva (16 off 57).
“It’s a five-person attack and it doesn’t matter who
“When I look back at that partnership, it’s probably I throw the ball to, I know I’m going to get results.”
the thing that has won us the grand final,” Edwards
said. Edwards was delighted to see the reaction of the
older members of Seabrook, who have waited four
“Rather than being all out for probably 90, it’s got decades for this moment.
us over that 140 lead and made it a challenging
score. The Saints did it in style, finishing the summer
undefeated.
“If they were only chasing 100, I don’t think we’d
be premiers. “I’ve got older generations thanking me and the
players, so we know how much it means for the
club,” Edwards said. “You see what it means to the
club when you actually deliver a premiership.”
By Lance Jenkinson
Star Weekly
*Seabrook batsman Andrew Hodcart.
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