Footscray United’s rags to riches summer is complete with a VTCA west A1 premiership.
United has upset Altona Roosters in a 63-run outright victory in the grand final at Hanmer Reserve after a magnificent fourth day bowling performance from spinner Rasika Mandadigie on Sunday.
Mandadigie had the Roosters batsmen spellbound en route to a match-winning 8-37.
“I think the Roosters got to 1-50 before he came on, so as far as the fourth innings goes, he won it on his own,” United batsman Stuart Ainge told Star Weekly. “He’s got really good variety, he spins it both ways, he’s got a couple of straight ones that are different, a toppie that jumps and a flat one. He had all the tricks going today and they really struggled to read him.”
Mandadigie left a trail of destruction through the Altona batting card.
The Roosters eventually surrendered for 99 in 42 overs – a long way short of the desired target.
The last wicket sparked wild celebrations for United, who have come from the clouds to pick up an unlikely premiership.
Two months ago, United was staring relegation in the face, but claimed big points in their final four matches of the home-and-away campaign to sneak into the top-two for the finals.
“The club is ecstatic,” Ainge said. “Six weeks ago we were a chance to get relegated, so to be sitting here with a premiership medal is unbelievable.
“Three weekends in a row [during the finals] we got the worst of the conditions, had to bat when it was wet and dark and a bit in the wicket and then we’d bowl when it’s sunny and wickets were hard, we had nothing go our way, but we found a way. It’s good times down here after that one, there’s no doubt.”
United was steady in its first innings, compiling a patient 163 off 82 overs.
Skipper Steve McKay was the first innings star for United, not only making a crucial 58, but backing up with the ball with 4-27 to have the Roosters out for 111 in their first dig.
“To get us most of the way to the first innings win was really impressive from Steve,” Ainge said.
Mandadigie took 3-23 on the first weekend, giving him 11 wickets for the match.
Srinath Vanapalli was tight with 2-12 off 12 overs.
In the second innings, United had a curve ball thrown its way.
They had to declare on 9-110 because all-rounder Geeth Silva had to make an emergency dash to the hospital.
Silva was not out 31 at stumps on day three, but his wife went into labour that night to give birth to their first child, a baby girl.
Silva made his way to the ground late on day four when teammates was wrapping up the victory.
“He got a massive roar as he emerged from the car park,” Ainge said. “All the spectators were rapt to see him.”
Silva’s part in the grand final win should not be downplayed.
The 31 he produced late on the third day gave United plenty of breathing space on the scoreboard in a low scoring game.
One big question went Silva’s way after Mandadigie had wrapped up the game for United.
“We haven’t got him to commit yet to what the highlight of his day was, was it was the premiership medal or the baby?” Ainge said.
Yasith De Silva had a superb grand final for the Roosters, taking nine wickets for the match.
De Silva snared 3-23 in the first innings, followed by 6-47 in the second, keeping the Roosters in the game for the whole four days.
VTCA – West A1
Grand final: Altona Roosters 111 and 99 lt Footscray United 163 and 9-110 dec
