Melton Centrals produced one of its best batting performances of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield season on Saturday.
Centrals have produced some more competitive matches this season but at times has been let down by its batting.
On Saturday, it showed some fighting resolve against Moonee Ponds as it was bowled out for 217 in the final over.
Coach Warren Haffenden said it was pleasing to see the side put together an innings like that.
“It was really good to put a competitive total on the board,” he said. “We posted an extra 50 to 60 then what we were looking at early.
“The best thing for us was those partnerships through the middle. Even though it was 20 somethings, we haven’t had that.”
Steve Robertson was the key at the top of the order, making 73. Haffenden said he had a really strong season with the bat.
Haffenden said the innings was a step in the right direction and showed what they had been working on.
“We’ve taken a bit of a step which this season was about,” he said. “We’ve struggled the last few years.
“We’re seeing progress and we are getting there. We’ve been a bit more competitive.
“We’ve won one game… we’ve lost one by five runs and one by 20 odd. It’s something we haven’t done in the last few years.”
Haffenden said they would take plenty of confidence into week two of the match. He said they were hoping to finish the season off strongly in this match and the rest of the games.
“I’ve been happy with our bowling and fielding this season,” he said. “We had an off day against Pascoe Vale, but 99 per cent of the time it’s been good.
“We just haven’t been making enough runs. Hopefully it all comes together this week.”
Haffenden said things across the club were going well, with the rest of their men’s sides all in finals contention as the season gets to the pointy end.
“The vibe has always been good when I’ve been at the club,” he said. “We’ve got lots of juniors and these kids are starting to come into the seniors.
“It’s good to see the progress.”
Meanwhile, Burnside Springs United has already claimed first inning points against Wyndham Vale.
Burnside made just 101 with Oscar Hodgetts top scoring with 21.
Despite the low total, it was enough with Wyndham Vale bowled out for 48 in the 40th over.
Shohan Rangika took 5-15 for Burnside and Mathew Sanders took four wickets.
In the Evans-Clark Shield, Melton South Royals need 225 against Bellbridge.
Praveen De Silva took five wickets for the Royals.
Scores for Sydenham-Hillside’s senior division match with Deer Park and Caroline Springs’ Roy Picone Shield game with East Keilor are unavailable at time of deadline.
