THE Dandenong and District Cricket Association already holds the under-21 shield and is home to the state’s Twenty20 champions, Buckley Ridges, and on Sunday it claimed another title.
After advancing through the group stages and semi-final as the only undefeated team, the under-16 DDCA side crushed its grand final opponent by five wickets to take out the Jim Beitzel shield – the state’s highest competition for under-16s.
Electing to bat first, the Federal District Cricket Association made a competitive 8/160 off the maximum 45 overs.
It was trotting along nicely at 1/73 in the 23rd over, before DDCA’s medium-pacer, Jagveer Hayer (3/10), combined with leg spinner Sahan Silva (0/15) for a 12-over spell that prevented the Mornington-based side from making a devastating score.
In response, Hayer (15) went to work with the bat, opening the DDCA innings with man-of-the-match Naveen Perera (48) for an opening stand of 43.
But it was Kevin Kean (47) and Brad Vantwest’s (22 not out) partnership of 66 that put the game beyond reach of the Federal District.
After finishing as runners-up in 2009 and semi-finalists last year, long-time coach Peter Mathison was finally able to celebrate with the shield.
“It was fantastic, they were the best side by far,” Mathison said.
“They chased down 180 pretty easy and it was a pretty comfortable win in the end.”
Mathison, who was coach when the under-16 team won the shield in 2001 as well as back-to-back wins in 2004 and 2005, said this year’s team was the best he has seen.
“Every year when the boys ask me if this year’s team is better than last I always say it isn’t so they don’t get a big head, but this year’s team was 20 per cent better than last year.
“They are a good bunch of kids … not cocky, but confident in their ability,” Mathison said.
Meanwhile, Buckley Ridges is all set to go back-to-back in the state’s quest to find the best Twenty20 club.
After taking out the title on the MCG last year, the Ridges are on the right path to do it again, beating Plenty Cricket Club in the semi-final of the South Metro Region on Sunday.
Buckley Ridges will now play Heatherdale in the final of the Metropolitan final next Wednesday for a chance to play in the state’s grand final at the MCG on 6 February.
– Gavin Staindl
