All the talking points from the VTCA

Here are all the key talking points.

FITZGERALD’S MATCH-WINNING SIX

Lachlan Fitzgerald only faced one ball on Saturday, it turned out to be a matchwinning performance. That one ball Fitzgerald faced, he hit for six. As it turned out, Deer Park held off Westmeadows by just three runs in a nerve-racking finish at John McLeod Reserve. Mohammed Alfar top-scored with 77 from 61 balls as the Lions posted 8-230. In reply, Steve Mihelakos-James scored 69 as the Warriors came up agonisingly short, 8-227. However, arguably the man of the match went to Westmeadows’ Pathum De Mel, the all-rounder taking 4-58 with the ball and scored an unbeaten 51 from just 26 balls – clubbing five sixes – to give his club a chance at the death.

SWEET TO THE RESCUE

Better known for his bowling but evergreen Yarraville Club star Ash Sweet stepped up with the bat in a two-wicket win over St Albans at Kings Park. Sweet’s 25 not out from 28 balls, guided the Clubbers home with just one ball remaining in the match. St Albans had posted 8-179, James Meggitt top-scoring with 36, while Arosh Janoda added 32. Sweet took 2-23 with the ball, while Matt Doric claimed 3-32. In the chase, Michael Hill top-scored with 55 to break the 500-run barrier for the season, while Viraj Lakshitha added 44. However, Yarraville Club was in trouble when Hill was out at 6-138, bringing Sweet to the middle for a clutch performance. Janoda added 4-24 to his efforts with the ball for St Albans.

KEILOR KEEPING PACE

Keilor has moved to within six points of the top-four after a three-wicket win over winless cellar-dweller Sunshine United at Joe Brown Reserve. An impressive 63 not out from 45 balls by Nalin Amarathunga had helped the Tigers reach 8-152. However, it wasn’t enough. Malith Cooray top-scored in the chase with 46, while Nathan Beever added 33, the Blues finishing the job with four overs up their sleeves. Keilor’s Michael Strachan claimed match-best figures of 4-24, while Buddika Algewatta was United’s best with 3-21.

HAIG’S DOMINANT WIN

Haig Fawkner picked up a dominant victory in its bid to play finals cricket after securing a thumping seven-wicket win over Seddon. A remarkable opening saw Seddon at 4-0 after Asher Warnakulasooriya and Nuwan Liyanapathirana tore through the top order with two wickets each. Seddon was eventually all out for 84 and it could have been much less after Haig bowled 16 wides. Fazal Nawab (4o not out) led the run chase.

REDBACKS MAKE PREMIERSHIP STATEMENT

West Coburg St Andrews has proven its premiership credentials with a thumping nine-wicket win over Grand United, handing the Gorillas their first loss of the season. Rishi Desai led the way with the ball, taking 3-20 as Grand United was all out for 75. Harsha De Silva hit an unbeaten half-century, 53 off 57, to ease his side to victory. The Rebacks climb to second on the ladder.

CRUNCH TIME IN DIVISION 3

The battle for finals and the bid to avoid relegation is only just heating up in the Roy Picone Shield. Just two games sits between second placed Caroline Springs and last placed Sunshine Heights after the weekend’s results. In arguably the division’s game of the weekend, Gellibrand secured a two-wicket win over Point Cook Centrals to jump into third position on the ladder. In his 200th senior game for Gellibrand, it was only fitting Riley Beer hit the winning runs as his side chased down 193.

CONLON’S BRILLIANCE FOR EAST COBURG

East Coburg maintained its place in the top-four of Division 4 with a 37-run win over Footscray Angliss with Joseph Conlin at the centre of the result. Conlin top scored with 88 as his side posted 181 all out before he led the way with the ball, taking 3-22 off seven, to lead his side across the line.

CONGS GET ON THE BOARD

Williamstown Congs have secured their first victory of the season on the back of a brilliant century from Vishal Attan. The opener struck an unbeaten 108 off 123 balls to guide his side to 6-237 against Jacana. The home side was all out for 172 in their run chase as Praveen Munigala took 3-31.

Originally published as All the talking points from the VTCA