Go all the way back to November 14 and you will find the dusty relic that is Yarraville’s last defeat in sub-district cricket.
The Eagles have been in white-hot form ever since, undefeated in seven rounds with six wins and a wash-out. They have catapulted to third on the south-west group ladder and into premiership contention.
Yarraville’s latest victim was local rival Altona in a one-day game they won comfortably by 25 runs, regaining the Jack Batty Shield, at Yarraville Oval on Saturday.
The Eagles made an inauspicious start to be 3-20, but recovered to post a competitive 9-156 off 45 overs. The middle order came to the Eagles’ rescue. Josh Hahnel (50), Mali Pereira (32 not out) and Akshat Buch (27) starred.
It needed a disciplined bowling performance from Yarraville to keep the A’s below the 3.48 run rate required. The Eagles did a stellar job with James Keenan (3-31), Matthew Love (3-17), Nathan Allen (2-41), Jack Noble (1-14) and Buch (1-10) rolling the visitors for 131 in 41.1 overs.
The fearless Eagles will travel to Moorabbin for a two-day game at Moorleigh Community Village Oval on Saturday.
With the exception of skipper Shane Jones (4-39, two catches and 27), Andrew McCammond (2-10 and 20) and James Grubb (40), Altona had too many passengers and needs a wider contribution when it hosts Williamstown. At one spot below Altona in ninth, they come off a disappointing 15-run loss to Brighton, despite 68 from Patrick O’Malley and six wickets to Murray Ring.
