Matthew Love was a last-gasp hero for Yarraville in a cliffhanger four-wicket win over Altona in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association at JK Grant Reserve on Saturday.
It was only fitting that Love would hit the winning run for the Eagles at the back of a match-winning 104 not out.
With scores deadlocked and a ball remaining, Love played the ball to cover and scampered through for a quick single, sparking celebrations in the dressing room.
“The boys were pretty pumped about it,” Eagles player-coach Adam Yates told the Weekly.
“It was tight towards the end so it was great to get over the line and beat a local side.
“You get up for the teams who are nearby and always put a bit extra into it because you play them every season.”
This was an upset of the highest order. The Eagles had won only two games for the season and were blooding three raw 16-year-olds in the line-up.
Altona is riding high in the top six and considered a premiership chance.
Love’s stellar performance proved the difference on the second day.
“He’s obviously an experienced player. He just read the game well and when we needed a boundary he got one. He played sensibly,” Yates said.
After a slight hiccup with Bradley Jones removed for a duck, the Eagles consolidated through Curtis Maguire (39) and captain Alex Hewet (21).
The pair put on 39 before Love went to work to compile his first sub-district ton since the 2009-10 season.
Love couldn’t have steered the Eagles over the line without support from Tim McRae (17) and Ryan Cox (12no). Cox kept cool even when the run rate required crept up over the run-a-ball mark.
“He was in at a critical time and was a steady head at the end,” Yates said.
The Eagles’ victory was undoubtedly set up on day one, when they braved 40-degree conditions to have the A’s all out for 217.
Hewet was an ironman with 5-50 off 19 overs in torturous heat.
“The first day was crucial in our victory,” Yates said.
“Fielding in 40 degrees and to push on and bowl them out was a good performance.
“Alex led the way. Bowling 19 overs in that temperature was a great effort.”
Yarraville will host Croydon in a two-dayer at the Yarraville Oval, while Altona will aim to preserve its top six status when Roxburgh Park-Broadmeadows visits.
