Melton South Royals are hoping for a more consistent second half to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association west A1 season as they look to push into the top four.
The Royals were sixth heading into the Christmas break having had one of the tougher draws to start the season.
Melton South Royals president
Paul Davies said they had put in some mixed performances against the top sides.
“We’ve played the top two teams twice and the third team,” he said.
“In a couple of those we were in the game and a couple of others we were let down by poor execution. It makes it hard when we don’t perform up to expectation.
“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to play against some of the other teams.”
Davies said the biggest issue was consistency and getting the bowling and batting firing in the same games. It’s been the side’s biggest issue the past couple of years.
“We’ve had a more settled team all the way through, so hopefully it will click soon,” he said.
“One week the bowlers are playing well and the batsmen are struggling and then the batsmen get the score on the board and the bowlers don’t back it up.
“Hopefully we get it together and get a few more wins on the board and push towards finals.”
The Royals’ match on Saturday was postponed until February 4 due to the hot weather.
The Royals will this week play Flemington. They were originally scheduled to have a bye but when Roxburgh Park withdrew from the north A1 competition, the VTCA moved Flemington across to west A1, to cut out the byes.
Davies said he hoped they could use this game to set up a strong finish to the season.
Overall, Davies said it had been a good first half.
“The second side is thereabouts and, like the firsts, are pushing for a top-four side,” he said.
“The thirds have struggled with inconsistency all season with guys coming up and down from other sides. Hopefully it will become settled and they can get a couple of wins and still be a chance.
“The fours and fives have been quite competitive.”
