By Tara Murray
Burnside Springs United finally got the batting performance it had been after in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield.
While Burnside had already secured a finals spot heading into the last couple of rounds, its batting had not been where they wanted it.
But that changed on Saturday, much to the delight of coach Cass Elorza.
“It was a fantastic way to end the year [regular season],” he said. “We have been one of the best bowling and fielding teams, but we haven’t got the job done with the bat.
“We’ll now have a week off and then into finals.”
Elorza said on their ground they had defended multiple scores under 100 this season, so Saturday’s run chase against Moonee Ponds was always going to be a challenge.
Moonee Ponds had made 9-196 on day one of the match, leaving Burnside needing nearly 200 for victory.
Burnside managed to get there with ease, finishing 5-199 with nearly 15 overs remaining to get the runs.
Elorza said the most pleasing thing was the way that they went about it.
“That is a good score on our ground,” he said. “It’s massive and it’s slow.
“The batsmen had the opportunity to step up and they did that. It’s been a focus since Christmas.
“We haven’t had a decent score on the board, so it was good to do what we did.”
Isira Silva top scored with 57 while Mathieson King and Shohan Rangika both made solid contributions.
Burnside has a bye in the final round of the season.
It currently sits in fourth spot and could go as high as third, depending on results.
Elorza said the competition has been so close that they could face any of the top three in the first week of finals.
He said it was a relief that they had already secured their finals spot and didn’t have to rely on results.
“Hopefully we can go one step further this year and make the grand final.”
While the first XI has its finals spot secure, the second XI will have a nervous wait this Saturday.
It sits outside the top four and will need results to go its way in the final round.
Elorza is hoping that a bit of finals success will cap off his time as coach of the club.
The club has been advertising for a new coach, with Elorza confirming it was his decision.
“I’m stepping away,” he said. “It’s nothing to do with the club and hopefully I’ll still have a small role.
“I want to give back to my family. The club knew half way through the year that it was likely my last year.
“I hope when I hand over the reins, I leave it in a better position than when I started.”
In other results, Melton Centrals lost to Donnybrook outright.
Having already conceded first innings points on day one, Centrals were bowled out for 173 in their second innings to lost outright.
