By Tara Murray
The first part of the job is complete for Sydenham-Hillside.
Now the Storm players are keen to go on and finish the job this weekend in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 4 Charles Clark Shield grand final.
Looking for its first VTCA first XI premiership, the Storm claimed first-innings points after two days of play in the grand final against Maribyrnong Park St Marys.
With another two days to go, the Storm has a lead of 27 runs.
The players – including vice-president and first XI player Warren Hackney – are aware the match could come done to an outright result.
Hackney said they were thrilled to have secured first-innings points while not necessarily playing their best cricket.
“We’ve still got a few wickets in hand, so we can hopefully build on that,” he said.
“Hopefully, we can stretch that lead out to at least 60 to 80 runs next weekend. That lead could be useful.”
Maribyrnong Park St Marys won the toss, elected to bat and was in trouble at 2-8.
After steadying, it posted 204.
Photo Gallery: Sydenham-Hillside vs Maribyrnong Park St Marys
Hackney said it wasn’t the Storm’s best bowling performance, but to bowl them out within 53 overs was a good result.
“We got off to a good start, before we lost our way a little,” he said. “They got a bit more than what we would have liked.”
Timothy Grech and Dane Currency took three wickets each for the Storm.
The day wasn’t over for the Storm players, who had to face 25 overs.
They got a third of the runs needed for the loss of one wicket.
Much of that scoring was done by Dylan Knight, who made 56.
Hackney said the side lost wickets early on day two before consolidating.
In-form batsman Ben Green, who made 69, was dismissed with his side 23 runs short of first-innings points.
Hackney said they were still confident there would be no issues in getting the runs.
“We still had a few decent batsmen,” he said. “Guys have been popping up all season. Jarryd Lindsay came in late in the day and worked the ball around. It’s wasn’t unexpected, as he’s done it a few times this season.”
The Storm finished the day 7-231 and with a lead of 27. Lindsay will resume on 39.
It wasn’t such a good weekend for the Storm’s second XI, which has some work to do in its grand final against Caroline Springs. The Storm is 6-80 in reply to Caroline Springs’ 250.
MORE VTCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/melton-centrals-fly-in-flag-showdown/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sunshine-builds-a-winning-foundation-for-grand-final/
