By Tara Murray
Altona Sports hopes of a first Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association T20 title fell just short in the grand final.
Playing in the WSCCCA T20 competition for the first time, Altona Sports managed to make the grand final.
It came across a red hot Tarneit Central side in the grand final which managed to claim back-to-back T20 titles.
Altona Sports T20 captain Dean Bryden said it was a really good effort to have made the grand final.
“We sort of knew we had a really good side after making the semi finals of the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association,” he said.
“This year we made the grand final, which is really big from where we come from. We’re two-dayer cricketers developing into T20 players.”
Altona Sports entered the grand final without Netherlands captain Scott Edwards, who had been a key in getting them that far including making a century in the semi finals.
Bryden said while they would have loved to have him in the side, they felt they still had the players to get it done and it opened up other opportunities.
Tarneit won the toss on Tuesday night and decided to bat first and make the most of its batting power.
It made 8-184 from its 20 overs with Pawanjot Saini top scoring with 75 off 49 balls at the top of the order.
Tom Harrison took four wickets for Altona Sports.
After losing an early wicket, Altona Sports found some momentum.
It wasn’t enough as it finished 5-148 from its overs. Matthew Vorbach top scored with 65 for Altona Sports.
Jasvir Khosa took two wickets for Tarneit.
Bryden said they just came across a side that was too good on the night.
“They are very strong,” he said. “Their batting is amazing.”
Bryden said their T20 side was a mixture of players from across all their grades, giving players opportunities.
He highlighted Arjan singh Sandhu who had a better strike rate than Edwards in some games.
“He has been a huge asset for the team.”
Bryden said they expected the competition to continue to grow and look to bring in higher level cricketers.
While falling short in the T20 competition, Altona Sports still has its eye on success in the A.E Lowe Shield two-day competition.
Altona Sports sits on top of the ladder undefeated. Its opposition for this round, Point Cook, has forfeited.
“Last year we were in the NWMCA,” he said. “The competition is definitely developing and it will strengthen up next year
“All the guys are really enjoying being back in the WSCCCA.”
Bryden said overall things were going well at the club.
All five sides sit in the top two with every team set on trying to win premierships.
