The skills, the statistics and the grand occasions all point to Aaron Maynard being the undisputed premier batsman in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west group.
Maynard dragged Altona to the finals with a match-winning 113 in a thrilling three-wicket win against Endeavour Hills at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday.
It was Maynard’s third century of the season, to go with three half centuries, and he did it with 18 fours and two sixes.
Set an imposing 213 target, the A’s got there with 19 balls to spare, thanks largely to Maynard, with assistance from skipper Shane Jones (31) and all-rounder Lee Elmore (18no).
Altona will now face minor premiers Werribee in a do-or-die two-day tussle at Chirnside Park this weekend. Play begins at 1pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
The A’s needed help from an unlikely source to confirm their finals attendance. Local rivals Yarraville came to their aid by beating Roxburgh Park-Broadmeadows on Saturday.
The Eagles posted 7-166 on the back of 69 from star opener Matthew Love. The Falcons were bowled out for 130.
Williamstown was skittled for 100 in reply to Noble Park’s 9-165.
