Tara Murray
A final round loss has seen Melton South Royals slip from top spot in Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 5.
In a round when many matches didn’t go ahead due to the rain and wet pitches, the Royals match went ahead and they suffered a loss to Williamstown Congs.
The Congs made 7-177 from their 40 overs with Karandeep Singh top scoring with 76. Dean Pirro took three wickets for the Royals.
The Royals were quickly in trouble at 5-31 and found the going tough from there. They were bowled out for 120.
Andrew Hodgart top scored with not out, while Sachika Udara, who made 27, was the only other batter to reach double figures.
Speaking before the match, Royals coach Leigh Edwards said they had set high expectations on themselves this year.
“Since Christmas we have dropped a couple of games that we should not have, but you accept a loss here or there,” he said.
“We expected to be in the top two and set a high demand. The last couple of years we have underperformed.
“The boys have definitely done what we were expecting and we now have to finish it off.”
Edwards said the group had seemed to gel a bit better this season, which had been the key to their success.
Dean Pirro had been leading the way as captain, while a few guys had performed really well throughout the season;.
“We recruited a new bowler Dilan Liyanage in the off season to bolster the bowling and he’s had a pretty solid season.
“Lasith Lakshan is our number three bat and has made about 270 to 300 runs for the year.
“James Robertson has had a fantastic year with the ball and is coming off seven wickets. He has the most wickets in the competition.”
The Royals will face Williamstown Congs for a second straight week in a knockout semi final this Saturday.
Edwards knows it won’t be an easy task.
“The semi final is the hardest game of the year,” he said. “So much is riding on it and it’s sudden death.
“Hopefully we can get over the line. Then it’s a best of three grand final series and if we can get there we are thinking we can give it a real shot.
“There’s a couple of good teams around us. We will back ourselves in to win two of the three games.”
The club’s second side also finished second in the VTCA, while its thirds finished second in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association division 1.
It was a big weekend for the club, with Richie Catlin becoming the first player to play 300 games for the club.
He captained the third XI in their draw against Rupertswood.
Having made his debut in the 1997-98 season he has made 3985 runs and taken 115 wickets.
He has been part of seven premierships sides and is also a member of two of the club’s teams of the decade and life member of the club.
