By Ewen McRae
Burnside Springs United was left to rue a bad batting collapse in its North West Metropolitan Cricket Association George Luscombe Shield clash with Gladstone Park at the weekend.
After making a solid start in the round two one-dayer, United’s lower order crumbled as the innings rolled on and they were dismissed in the 38th over for 123.
Openers Gurpreet Mohain (21) and Adam Spiteri (57) got United off to a solid start, but only one other United player posted double figures as Gladstone Park’s bowlers took control of the contest.
Tyson Young was the standout for the visitors with the ball, finishing with 5-24.
With the ball, United found it hard to curtail the visiting bats as they stayed ahead of the required run rate, eventually chasing down the target in the 27th over for the loss of just four wickets.
Following their outright loss in round one, it means United is still searching for its first win of the season ahead of this week’s match with Northern Lions.
In Vic Kyte Shield action, Sydenham/Hillside was made to chase leather early in its clash with Donnybrook before falling short with the bat later in the afternoon.
Donnybrook piled on the runs to finish on 5-256 off its 39 overs, with Sachin Sambhus (2-44) and Siddesh Vibhute (2-41) the best with the ball for the home side.
In reply, Sydenham/Hillside lost both openers early, and despite captain Philip Rigg Jnr (26), Ben Saragozza (25) and Chris Butterworth (25) all making solid starts, they were never a realistic chance of reaching the target.
Sydenham/Hillside finished on 5-123 from its 39 overs, and is still searching for a first win of the season.
In the Athol Attwater Shield, Sunshine Heights smashed Ascot Vale by 10 wickets to open its account for the season.
After dismissing the hosts for 125 on the back of 3-14 with the new ball from Shabib Raza, Sunshine Heights made short work of the chase with an unbroken opening partnership.
Avinash Behl hit 10 boundaries and two maximums on his way to 67 not out, while Hasnain Rezaie was no less destructive in his 47 not out as they completed the chase in 20.2 overs.
