Clark dazzles as MCG appearance brings statewide Twenty20 title for South Caulfield SOUTH Caulfield Cricket Club's First XI players trod the turf of the MCG yesterday and made their day more memorable by becoming the first metropolitan team to win Cricket Victoria's statewide Twenty20 Cup. A man-of-the-match performance from ace all-rounder Jordan Clarke guided South to a 26-run victory over Upwey-Tecoma. Clarke clouted 89 not out from only 62 balls, including 8 fours and 4 sixes. Later in the day he snared 2-21 as his team comfortably protected its total. It was the first time a metropolitan club had raised the cup country teams claimed the first five editions of the popular tournament. Having decided to bat, South Caulfield lost Masmulla Thilana for a duck in the first over. In came young Englishman Clarke and the hard-hitting right-hander batted the rest of the innings, underpinning a total of 4-146. Opener Benny Howell made 22 from 23 balls, skipper Luke Russell chipped in with 20 from 19 and Sampath Perera added 10 from 12 at the close. With a required run rate of 7.35 from the outset, Upwey-Tecoma was up against it, and tight bowling and brilliant fielding made the task more difficult. Six Tigers reached double figures, with captain Sam Taylor top-scoring with 35 from 27 balls. Howell and Perera both claimed two wickets to cap fine all-round games, and Shane Jeffree was the other wicket-taker as the Tigers' reply expired at 9-120. The MCG appearance and victory was a boost for South Caulfield after the Victorian Turf Cricket Association controversially took match points from it over a player registration. South went from preparing for finals to treading relegation waters.