By Tara Murray
Burnside Springs United moved back into the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock division 5 top four with a big win against the Williamstown Congs.
After slipping out of the finals position in the round before the Christmas break, Burnside was keen for a better start to 2025.
Facing bottom side, the Williamstown Congs, it was a strong performance with both the bat and ball for Burnside.
Coach Cass Elorza said it was nice for it all to come together in the same match.
“We’ve been fielding and bowling well,” he said. “It was nice to put it all together.”
The Congs made 155 on day one, with Burnside finishing the day at 2-66.
Elorza said 155 was a pretty good score to chase down, but on a small ground once you pierced the gap the ball moved quickly.
He was full of praise for the Congs.
“They are a quality team,” he said. “They’ve had a bit of a hard time but they’re always a good chance.
“They acquitted themselves pretty well.”
Burnside declared at 8-197 after 47 overs, having hit the winning runs for the loss of four wickets. Oscar Hodgetts top scored with 66 at the top of the order.
Burnside sent the Congs back in to try and get an outright result. The Congs were 5-124 when the game was called with no chance of an outright.
Tim Stephens had three wickets for Burnside.
It was a good day for Burnside, with its second XI winning outright and its fourth XI also a chance to win outright.”
The win moves Burnside back into fourth spot with four rounds remaining.
lorza knows their destiny is in their own hands.
“We have three tough games [and a bye],” he said. “We face Barkly St Uniting, Wyndham Vale and Moonee Ponds.
“For us to keep in the four we have to keep doing the right things to clinch a spot.
“Everything is clicking at the right time.”
Elorza said as well as their top side doing well they’re starting to see some of their juniors come through in the lower grades and play some handy roles.
He said even those that were filling in for the senior sides were pushing for permanent spots.
The club is also enjoying having both their ovals operating at the same time for the first time in five years.
Elsewhere in the Russell Pollock Shield, Melton Centrals had a bye.
Around the grounds, Sydenham-Hillside had a big win against Craigieburn in the senior division.
The Storm made 6-305 before bowling Craigieburn out for 249.
In the Roy Picone Shield, Caroline Springs had a disappointing loss to Point Cook Centrals.
In the Evans Clark Shield, Melton South Royals beat St Andrew’s Footscray outright.
The win moves the Royals to the top of the ladder.
