Given the importance of a game featuring first versus third on the ladder, Grand United was disappointed with the way it applied itself at the crease on day one of its VTCA west A1 blockbuster with ladder-leader Williamstown Imperials at KC White Reserve on Saturday.
The Gorillas produced a below-par 155 from 58 overs, presenting an enormous task for their bowlers to defend against the best batting team in the competition so far.
Three late wickets gave the Gorillas a pulse, with Imperials recommencing their run chase at 3-38, but they still face an uphill task in the battle for first innings points.
“We didn’t bat well,” opening batsman Dean Comensoli said bluntly. “We’ve picked up three late wickets, but we still feel like we’ve got our work cut out because 150 isn’t a lot of runs to chase. If we can get a couple more quick wickets, we can put a bit of panic into their camp so that’s what we’re hoping for.”
No matter what the position Grand United finds itself in, surrendering is not in its DNA. The Gorillas thrive with their backs to the wall, which will certainly be the case when Saturday arrives.
“It’s not the Grand United way to give up,” Comensoli said. “We always think we’re a chance. We’ve won plenty of games from spots where we didn’t think we were going to by just battling away. Things change pretty quickly with the fall of a wicket, so if we can take a couple of quick ones next weekend we feel as though we can get the points.”
Grand United didn’t hide from the fact its batting was less than satisfactory.
Youngsters Ashley Strang (26) and Ryan Comensoli (32) could hold their heads high after saving the top order from total collapse, but otherwise it was slim pickings for the recognised batsmen.
“The two kids batted well,” Dean Comensoli said. “They sort of steadied the ship there for quite a while. Ashley came in at No. 3 and was in by the fifth ball of the day after I went out for a duck. He did really well through a tough period when the ball was still jagging around.”
Carl Comensoli (27) and captain Matthew Frew (29) produced some valuable late runs to take the total beyond 150. Initially, there was also little to smile about for Grand United with the new ball. It went 11 overs without a wicket as Imperials coasted to 0-30.
The game changed dramatically when United turned to change bowlers Dean and Shayne Comensoli in a bid to break the Imperials’ momentum. Dean, with his off spin, finished the day with two wickets, while Shayne took one. “It’s possibly put us back in the game,” Dean Comensoli said. “We feel like we’re still behind, but we’ve given ourselves a fighting chance with those three wickets.”
(Carl and Dean Comensoli are brothers; Shayne and Ryan are Carl’s sons.)
Lance Jenkinson
