By Lance Jenkinson
Michael Hay has propelled Druids to a competitive 238 with an “easy on the eye” display in the middle order against Sunshine United in their Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division clash at Shorten Reserve on Saturday.
Hay weaved his magic for the Wizards en route to a calculated 83 off 115 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
He timed his innings to perfection, knuckling down early on to get his eye in before launching late on.
Only a run out – when he was pushed for a second run – could end Hay’s fun in the middle.
“He batted really smart for the first 60 runs, pretty conservative,” Druids captain Leigh Wilson said.
“Towards the end he sort of let loose and hit a few boundaries.
“Whenever he’s batting, it’s fun to watch, it’s pretty easy on the eye.
“He plays some of the best shots you’ll see at local cricket level.”
Hay has been one of the form batsmen in the top flight competition.
The Druids star has made 182 runs at 45.5 and even got called up to play for Greenvale Kangaroos in the Vic Super Slam Twenty20 competition.
“He’s got a bit of confidence now, so hopefully he can continue this form going forward,” Wilson said.
Wilson was left in two minds about his side’s total of 238 off 78.1 overs.
PHOTO GALLERY: Druids vs Sunshine United
“It was one of those days where we felt we’d get to a point where we were just about to take the game away from them and then we’d lose a couple of wickets and bring them back into it,” Wilson said.
“That happened two or three times during the day, so it was a bit of a topsy turvy one.”
Elsewhere in senior division, Yarraville Club got a crucial breakthrough late to finish the day on a high against Haig Fawkner at Hansen Reserve.
The Clubbers, led by half centuries from Trent Lawford (55), Adam Contessa (52) and James Damjanovski (51), were bowled out for 254 in the 72nd over, which gave them a chance to have a bowl in a tricky period for batsmen before stumps.
Emmett Bronca got the late wicket for the Clubbers to give his side a head start going into day two.
In division 1, Spotswood struggled on the first day of its top-of-the-table showdown with Aberfeldie at Clifton Park.
The Woodsmen could only muster 121, while Aberfeldie is in a strong position on 4-78. Seddon is 0-7 in reply to Altona North’s 161, while Altona Roosters need 246 to beat Airport West St Christophers.
In division 2, Anudeep Pallipamu took 6-60 to help Kingsville restrict Werribee Centrals to 189.
Kingsville powered to 0-33 off seven overs before stumps.
Williamstown CYMS posted 216 against Laverton, who are 0-1 in response.
Newport-Digman is 2-37 after rolling Keilor Park for a measly 98.
In division 3, West Newport could only eke out 179 against Williamstown Imperials, despite strong showings from Neil Browne (41) and Andrew Hendry (48). The Imps went to stumps on 0-15
