Tara Murray
Jason Davis’ 100th game for Eynesbury Cricket Club got even sweeter when his 10-year-old son Lachlan made a last minute first XI debut.
The Eagles were set to play with only 10 players against East Sunbury in the Gisborne District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield due to a late withdrawal due to injury.
Lachlan was there with his dad and one thing led to another and he was soon pulling on the whites.
“He was there to support his dad,” coach Tristian Francis said. “His mum was going to pick him up, but we were one short and we asked him if he wanted to field for us?
“He was as keen as mustard. We spoke with East Sunbury and Wilko [Mark Wilkins] was really good about it.
“They said let him bat as well and they let his father come out on the field and take some video.”
Francis said Lachlan didn’t look out of place, with no misfields and chasing every ball to the boundary.
Lachlan finished one not out.
“He was so excited,” Francis said. “He would have slept really well.”
Jason made 21 opening the batting after making a century in the second XI the previous round.
The Eagles won the game.
They made 193 before restricting East Sunbury to 120.
Francis said it had been a mixed year for the side.
“It’s been up and down,” he said. “Last week we dropped a game we shouldn’t have dropped against Aintree.
“Beating East Sunbury brings us back into contention. We have a couple of tough matches on the way home, against Bacchus Marsh, Gisborne and Macedon.
“Hopefully we can finish the year off with a couple more wins.”
Francis said overall the club continues to go from strength to strength. He said the fact that they now had a ground to play on in Eynesbury had played a role.
“Jamie Bolger has come back,” he said. “My son [Josh Francis] has come back and Wes Greig lives in Eynesbury too. We’ve got some more senior heads in the side.
“Jamie shares that passion for blooding young cricketers. We’ve got a really strong junior program including an under-17 side which we haven’t had before.
“Hopefully that can continue to filter through.”
