By Lance Jenkinson
Yarraville executed in all parts of its game to cruise to an important six-wicket win over Taylors Lakes in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association at the Yarraville Oval on Saturday.
The Eagles have moved back into the top six and in the finals mix again.
Eagles captain Nathan Allen was full of praise for each and every one of his 11 players, who succeeded in chasing down the 192 target on the second day.
“We had no weak link,” he said.
While it was a significant win for Yarraville, it will need to move on quickly.
The Eagles will travel to Melton – one of the toughest away venues in the league – for the start of a crucial two-day game this Saturday.
With both sides jostling for spots in the top six, it could go some way to determining which side will be heading to the finals.
“If you can beat Melton at Melton, you’ve done well,” Allen said.
“We’re not going to take a backward step.
“We’re going to take the game on, be positive and hopefully we can get the outcome we need.
“We’ve just got to keep winning to give ourselves a chance to play finals.”
Yarraville set up its victory over Taylors Lakes on day one when it bowled out the visitors for 191.
All five Eagles bowlers took wickets, including multiples to Matthew Grose (3-58), Allen (2-46) and Nick Parish (2-27).
“I couldn’t fault our bowlers,” Allen said.
“Everyone played their role and we were able to get them out for 190.
“With that wicket, I thought we would’ve been chasing a lot more, so that held us in good stead.”
Yarraville’s run chase was relatively comfortable.
Teenagers Josh Turner (49) and Aidan Salvado (47) laid down the platform for the Eagles before veteran Matthew Harrison brought it home with 59 not out.
Salvado is just 16 and is one of the most promising prospects at the club.
“He’s only a pup – him and [Lucas] Nikolovski,” Allen said.
“We’ve got them both in there learning a lot and if they can play a role, it helps us out tremendously because they’re only kids and they’re learning the craft, but they both have the capabilities of going on to make a big score, which is a massive bonus for us.
“There’s a bit more expectation on them now because they’ve proven they can play.”
Harrison is not only a key run producer, but a great role model for Salvado, Nikolovski and the rest of the Yarraville youngsters.
“All the young fellas love watching him bat and they learn a lot from him.”
In other games, Williamstown belted Melton by 98 runs at the Williamstown Cricket Ground. Defending 238, the Seagulls routed the visitors for just 140, with Matthew Twentyman playing a starring role with 6-18 off 11 overs.
The Seagulls have moved up to third on the ladder ahead of a trip to Ormond on Saturday.
Altona could not get the scalp it desperately desired. Chasing 189 for a win, the A’s were rolled 134, with Adam Yates the lone hand with 54. The third-last A’s will travel to face bottom side Taylors Lakes in the next round.
MORE VSDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/meltons-bats-need-to-fire/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/taylors-lakes-toils-hard-but-for-no-reward/
