Harper Sercombe
Sydenham Hillside’s hopes of making it five premierships in six seasons is still alive with the club securing its spot in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division finals on Saturday.
The Storm defeated Keilor in a two-day clash to lock themselves into the four with one round remaining. Coach Warren Hackney said it’s a great achievement to play finals in the club’s first year in the top flight.
“Hugely excited and proud to have locked in a top four place in the club’s first season in the senior division,” he said.
“It’s a huge achievement for the club and it’s a real credit to the playing group. So we’re very pleased and pumped about what could potentially transpire over the next few weeks.”
In the win against Keilor, the Storm batted first after winning the toss and posted a big score of 326. Skipper Anthony Alleyne scored his first century of the season, making 103.
Hackney said it was another good test for his side with the excitement in Keilors first XI.
“They certainly have a lot of young talent there and I’m really impressed with the talent on their list,” he said. “We managed to get off to a great start, a 100 run opening stand that always helps, and then a century from the skipper.
“He was very disciplined and he really showed the way. For him I think it was a bit of a turning of the corner, he has just struggled to find the consistency of last season and we’re hoping that things are starting to come together now at the right time for him and for everyone.
“Things came together nicely so we were able to post a good score and we added a few more overnight and went to work with the ball yesterday.”
With the ball on Saturday, the Storm were able to take wickets consistently through the innings before running through the tail, Keilor lost 4-13 to close their innings.
Keilor were dismissed for 244.
The Storm used nine of their 11 players to bowl, with the wickets spread across four bowlers. Gayashan Weerasekara had the best figures of 3-9, doing the damage to the tail.
“The wicket on Saturday wasn’t offering heaps for the bowlers but we knew that if we were disciplined with lines and lengths we could make it difficult for the batters and that’s the way it turned out,” Hackney said.
“We’ve got plenty of options with the ball and it showed yesterday. If things aren’t working out for the seamers then the spinners can come on and get to work so it’s nice to have that flexibility and the variety of options in the bowling attack.”
On the Saturday, the Storm will play fellow finalists Yarraville Club with the winner booking themselves into a home final. The two teams could face each other in the first week of finals if the ladder stays the same.
“It’s always nice to be able to host a final so there’s a bit to play for and we go into it full of confidence having beaten them last time we played them,” Hackney said.
“It’ll be a good test for us and no shortage of incentives so it’ll be a good test for us.”
