Williamstown has its sights set on a first victory for the summer after another incredible display from captain Craig Sheedy in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west group first XI on Saturday.
The Seagulls, bottom of the ladder and riddled with injuries and absentees, took day-one honours after restricting Box Hill to 9-178 off 80 overs at the Williamstown Cricket Ground.
Sheedy dictated terms of play in a marathon bowling effort, sending down 32 overs for 5-28, including 19 maidens.
The wily veteran said his young and inexperienced side was capable of chasing down the target.
“The ball is in our court,” he said. “We come into next week knowing what we’ve got to chase. We’ll go out and make sure we get a start, build an innings and go from there.
“Everyone has a week to think about it and turn up next Saturday to get the job done.”
Sheedy is the talk of Morris Street. The all-rounder has started the season in white-hot form with
10 wickets at 13.5 to complement his 239 runs at 59.9.
Sheedy knows that with the raw youngsters in the side, he needs to take on a heavier workload.
The captain was certainly feeling the effects after Saturday’s arduous bowling display.
“I’m a bit sore now,” he said with a chuckle.
“I need to make sure I keep it going and turn it into a big year. We’ve got a lot of young fellas playing at the moment and a fair few out.”
It was not a one-man band for the Seagulls. Youngsters Mitch Knight (2-25) and Nathan Bratby (1-35) had a big say.
Knight, who played the first three games of the season in the thirds, is looking to cement a berth in the top side.
“He’s a good all-round cricketer – he’s good in the field, bowls with good pace and can bat,” Sheedy said. “He’s got a big future.”
Bratby is also relishing his chance in the top grade.
“He’s got all the tricks in the book with his bowling,” Sheedy said. “He varies his pace – he can get them through or he can slow it up.”
