Tara Murray
A stunning opening partnership put Altona North on top in the local derby in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield.
Facing the Altona Roosters for the first time in a number of seasons, with the Roosters coming back up into division 1, it was a contest Altona North was keen for.
The Roosters made 7-264 on day one of the match.
It would prove to not be enough on Saturday as Altona North made 339 as it was bowled out with still 10 overs left in its innings.
Altona North president and first XI player Andrew Auciello said it’s always a good contest when they face the Roosters.
“It was nice to get another good win,” he said. “They’ve made 260-270 two rounds in a row so they have been red hot with their batting.
“They’re always a good team.”
Auciello said they knew they needed to get off to a good start with the bat on Saturday.
He said on their ground that a score of 250 was par with a small ground and good outfield.
Altona North couldn’t have asked for a better start with Haydn Wilkinson and Tom Harrison putting on 175 for the opening partnership.
“We were going through the records after the game,” Auciello said. “We didn’t go too far back, but we think it would be the highest opening partnership at least in the first XI for a long time.
“If you start like that you are usually going to go on and win.
“But once they went out we still had a fair bit of work to do.”
Altona North lost some quick wickets to give the Roosters some hope, but was able to steady to pass the total seven wickets down.
Wilkinson top scored with 105 and Harrison made 65.
Auciello said the side prides itself on being able to bat down to number 11.
“We’re confident even when we lose a bunch of wickets that we can get it done.”
Auciello said making 339 was a total they would be happy making any day of the week. He said they were expecting more runs this season with the ground change.
He said for the group this season it would be nice to play finals.
“It’s what we want to get out of the season,” he said. “The first game was good and this was a nice performance as well.
“We have two or three tough ones coming up and it would be nice to get something from them as well.”
Auciello said the club was starting to get that pathway from juniors into the senior program after not having juniors for a few years.
He said the club was in a good position.
“We’re not about the team, we’re about the club,” he said. “That is our mantra this year.
“From our best player in the first XI down to the newest player in the sixth XI, we want everyone to know everyone.”
In other results, the Druids lost to Sunshine, Seddon lost to PEGS and Footscray United lost to Doutta Stars.
