By Tara Murray
Sydenham-Hillside timed its run to perfection to claim an outright victory against East Keilor in their Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 Roy Picone Shield clash.
Having claimed first innings points early on day two, the Storm set themselves up to claim an outright win late in the piece.
After bowling East Keilor out for a second time, the Storm needed 11 runs off three overs to get the full points.
They needed the whole three overs, getting the job done on the last ball.
Storm president and first XI player Warren Hackney said they were able to take their luck when it came their way.
“It was very exciting and we’re really pleased to get maximum points,” he said.
“It got quite tight in the end. One of their guys had to leave early, leaving us one less wicket to take.
“It might have got us over the line.”
Chasing East Keilor’s 134, the Storm resumed at 1-80.
Hackney said the first task was to get the runs to claim first innings points as quickly as possible.
Then they wanted to add some runs to the board.
They made 8-217, with Ameya Naik top scoring with 95.
It left the Storm 45 overs to bowl out East Keilor for 82 or less.
They bowled well and were able to restrict East Keilor to 93 off 45 overs. It left them three overs to get 11 runs.
Playing coach Alston Bobb took 5-42 and Kaluwahandi Prasad bowled well, finishing with 3-18 off nine overs.
The Storm lost two wickets in their second innings, but it didn’t matter with the Storm finishing 2-11.
The Storm now sits second, having won three of their four completed matches.
Having come up a grade in the off season, Hackney said they were happy with how things had gone.
“There’s certainly room for improvement. “
We’ve taken the step up in our stride.
“We’re looking forward to playing against every team and seeing where we really sit.”
PHOTO GALLERY: East Keilor vs Sydenham-Hillside
The Storm will be tested this weekend with two one-day matches. They face top side Point Cook and then face fourth-placed Sunshine Heights on Sunday.
Meanwhile on Sunday, the Storm’s women’s side lost to Keilor.
Keilor made 5-151 from its overs, with Tara Brown the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-10 off three overs.
The Storm produced one of its best scores for the season, making 4-111. Bethany Rigg made her highest score, 25, while Brown finished 17 not out.
In men’s division 4, Melton Centrals remains without a win after losing to Grand United.
Grand United made 288 in reply to Centrals’ 205. Caroline Springs lost to St Andrews.
Chasing 194, Caroline Springs was bowled out for 183.
In division 5, Melton South Royals claimed an outright win against Sanctuary Lakes.
Resuming at 3-73 in a chase of 140, the Royals went on to make 5-240. Steven Szabo top scored with 100. Sanctuary Lakes was bowled out for 111.
The Royals hit the winning runs in the first over, finishing 0-13.
