In arguably the biggest upset of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association season, Deer Park was sent packing from the West B1 finals last weekend.
The Lions were knocked out of the premiership race by West Newport, going down by five wickets at the John McLeod Oval on Sunday.
Batting first in the semi-final contest, Deer Park fought its way to 166 before being bowled out after 70 overs.
Six Lions’ batsmen made at least 15 runs each, but no one was able to go on to a big score, and the door was left ajar for West Newport to pounce.
Returning to the contest on day two, that is exactly what the batting side did. West Newport crept towards the total, seeing off a bowling line-up that had dominated all season, to lose only five wickets after 81 overs.
James Bonnici and Ricky Suvada did most of the work with the ball, bowling 25 overs each and combining for three wickets. But the Lions were unable to get stuck into the lower order at any stage.
Sunday’s loss is the first for Deer Park this season. The Lions finished on top of the West B1 ladder, 28 points clear of their nearest rival.
By contrast West Newport needed a final round win just to qualify for finals. They will now take on Footscray ANA in the grand final this weekend.
Footscray qualified after a crushing win against Sunshine YCW.
