Robert Clements out-scored Airport West-St Christophers off his own bat in the VTCA senior division at Etzel Street Reserve on Saturday.
That’s how dominant Keilor’s returning home-grown opener was in the slaughter of the West Saints.
Clements raised his bat for 130 not out, while the entire West Saints team was skittled for just 100 on the same wicket.
“It was a well-put-together innings that he built up,” Keilor coach Sean McManus said. “He played some really good cricket shots; it was almost a chanceless innings.”
Clements was brought back to Keilor to make runs – and plenty of them.
It hasn’t always gone to plan for the former Footscray Edgewater player, though. Four consecutive ducks must have rattled Clements’ confidence, but it all turned around on Christmas eve.
He made 69 not out in a big one-day win over Spotswood and took that form into the new year with a stellar first-up performance.
Keilor needed only three batsmen to complete the rout.
The Blues powered to 1-181 from their 40 overs, a great sign for a side that has often viewed batting as its weakest point.
Nathan Beever (20) and Daniel Stavris (27 not out) played the support acts for Clements and in return had the best seat in the house for the memorable knock.
“To see the top order fire is really pleasing,” McManus said.
“We’ve got a really good bowling attack; we pride ourselves on that so, for me, the bigger satisfaction is that we scored quickly and lost only one wicket for our 40 overs. To go on and win in a convincing fashion was pleasing.”
Keilor’s bowlers refused to be over- shadowed. The Blues hit the right spots with the ball and were backed up by an enthusiastic and focused field.
Dan Schuppan, Chris Lee, Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Upal Bandara took two wickets apiece, while Luke Delbridge was outstanding in the field with a catch and two run outs.
A meeting during the week set the tone for a flawless Keilor team effort. “The boys had a chat on Thursday night,” McManus said. “Last season, the first game after Christmas, it just didn’t go to plan and they weren’t switched on, so they were very mindful of that in the first game back after Christmas this year.”
