Tara Murray
History was made for Burnside Springs as it won its first Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 5 match.
Burnside has been building into the season having made the switch from the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association in the off season.
On Saturday, the side finally got to taste victory, beating Barkly Street Uniting.
Not content with one win, Burnside backed it up the following day, beating Wyndhamvale.
President Aaron Borg said it was a pretty rewarding weekend for the club.
“It was an amazing weekend for us,” he said. “It was a little bit of a bummer being Saturday and Sunday matches that we couldn’t fully celebrate on the Saturday night.
“But everyone got back to the rooms. Then to back it up, shows there’s so much belief in our system and what the coach has been doing right across the club.”
Borg said they always knew it would take a bit of time to settle into the new competition. Having played on synthetic in the NWMCA, the move to turf was something different for a lot of players.
“You have to learn the differences in decks and what comes with that,” he said.
“The group has looked closely into their own games and how they are getting out.
“The belief to get better has been exceptional.”
On Saturday, the Burnside bowled out Barkly Street Uniting for 198 with one over remaining. Tim Stephens took four wickets.
Burnside managed to make the runs with five overs remaining, finishing 3-202. Adam Spiteri top scored with 50.
Borg said it was a strong performance with their bowlers bowling tightly and the bats were confident they could get the job done.
On Sunday, Burnside sent Wyndhamvale in which proved to be the right move, restricting them to 8-135.
Mathew Sanders and Stephens took three wickets each.
At 3-114 Burnside was cruising, but lost some late wickets. Burnside still did enough, finishing 7-136.
Asher Kahn top scored with 60.
Borg said it wasn’t ideal losing late wickets, with the group possibly thinking too much about potentially winning back-to-back wins.
The win moves Burnside up to ninth spot.
Borg said the next couple of weeks would give the side a true indication of where they sit.
“We play second and third,” he said. “We will see where we are at and then can assess from there.
“The boys are up and about after this weekend.”
In other results, Melton South Royals beat Sunshine YCW on Saturday, before beating cross town rival Melton Centrals on Sunday.
Centrals also lost their Saturday match, losing to East Coburg.
In division 3, Caroline Springs lost both their matches, while in division 1, Sydenham-Hillside won both their matches.
