Eye on the ball … An unbeaten 102 from Matthew Love was not enough for Yarraville to get over the line in the opening round of the VSDCA Twenty20 competition. 42203 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Luke D’Anello
WHILE the weekend’s matches were washed out, the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association’s (VSDCA) Twenty20 competition started last Tuesday, but it was not a successful opening round for local teams.
Sunshine did, however, claim the points after passing Werribee’s score of 7/119, with four wickets left. Sunshine (6/122) was aided by a hard-hitting 52 from current Footscray Edgewater all-rounder, and guest player, Ben Green.
In other results, Williamstown was blasted out for just 31 in reply to Melton’s 8/133.
Despite a blistering 102 not out off 66 balls from Matthew Love, Yarraville (3/175) fell short in its run-chase against Broadmeadows (7/180).
Altona (8/108) was also defeated by West Coburg (7/109).
VSDCA secretary Ken Hilton said the league was looking at playing more Twenty20 games under lights in coming seasons. The competition is in its second year.
Each club is also offered the option of one guest player.
Green will be padding up for Sunshine, while Yarraville has drafted in former Essendon first XI captain Brent Hutchinson.
“We learnt quite a bit from it all last year. We like it, because we think it has community engagement, and it’s all locally based in groups. The clubs do a bit of promotion in their area and they get people down to watch it,” Hilton said.
“We’re in the early stages of the competition and we’re learning as we go along.”
Each club must also select three under-21 players per game.
“It gives an opportunity for younger guys, who don’t play firsts and seconds, to play on the big ground and in front of a few people.”
The top team in each of the four groups will progress to the semi-final stage on 15 February next year.
The next round of matches will be played on 14 December, with Werribee pitted against Altona
The final is scheduled for 2 March.
In round five of the VSDCA east/west competition, Williamstown will take on Altona, Sunshine faces Werribee and Yarraville are away to Bayswater.
