By Lance Jenkinson
St Albans has leapt up off the canvas with a memorable 63-run win over defending champions Yarraville Club in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division at Hansen Reserve on Saturday.
The previously bottom Saints moved up to fifth on the ladder, just one spot outside the top four, while sending the Clubbers down to the bottom of the ladder.
St Albans set up its victory with a powerful batting performance, making 6-215 off the maximum 40 overs. A 126-run opening stand between Brenton Cook (53) and Simon Lambert (69) put the Saints in front early.
Handy contributions from Buddika Hasaranga (25), Shanaka Silva (26 not out) and Billy Whitford (23) ensured the Saints would move beyond 200.
Yarraville Club has been the most powerful batting unit in the competition for a long time but they were never allowed to get going as they slumped to 6-33 on the back of some stellar bowling from St Albans’ new ball user Whitford, who took 4-42 off eight overs.
Silva, Lambert, Geeth Alwis and captain Rob Nikolic all chimed in with a wicket as the Clubbers were restricted to 8-152.
Lambert capped a man of the match performance with two catches and an economical 1-17 off eight.
Photo Gallery: St Albans vs Yarraville Club
Meanwhile, Sunshine United is entrenched in the top four after a six-wicket victory over Strathmore at the Syd McGain Oval.
Leigh Sheridan was the standout for United with 83 not out, to go with two wickets.
In division 1 west, Deer Park won a low scoring game over Altona North by 21 runs.
In division 1 north, Keilor Park scraped in for a two-wicket home win over Craigieburn to edge closer to the top four.
PEGS remains in a top four position, despite a 42 run loss to St Francis de Sales.
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