By Tara Murray
Eynesbury got a confidence-boosting win against Woodend to start the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield season.
With wins hard to come by last season, to start the new season with a victory was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Eagles.
It was a low scoring affair, with a couple of the Eagles’ young guns standing up when they were needed.
Eagles captain-coach Tristan Francis was thrilled.
“It’s a really good win and a good way to start the season,” he said.
“After getting beaten up last year, it’s nice to come down and get a win.”
Francis said the Jensen Shield is the perfect competition for the young playing group that they’ve got.
On Saturday, five under-17s were part of the Eagles side.
On Saturday, the Eagles won the toss and elected to bat.
They managed to claw their way to 8-138 from their 40 overs.
Francis said the end total was better than what it looked like it would be for much of the innings.
“I thought if we got to 90 at one stage, it would have been a good score.
“Max Giulieri made 55. He’s a 14-year-old who played most of last year.
“He’s come on leaps and bounds.”
The Eagles bowlers were then able to get the job done, bowling Woodend out for 118 in the final over.
PHOTO GALLERY: Eynesbury vs Woodend
Just two Woodend players passed six.
Youngster Zach Micallef was outstanding in his first game, taking 2-9 off six overs.
Jason Tardrew stood up and took four wickets.
Francis said they really turned the screws in the middle of the innings.
“We put a lot of pressure on the ball and didn’t let them get too many boundaries.”
Francis said having got one win on the board, it would give them plenty of confidence.
“It gives us the belief that we can certainly be competitive and take it up to some of the other teams,” he said.
“We’ll continue to compete and hopefully win more than we lose.
“We’ve got three sides this year, so there is more players to choose from.
“We have a lot more older guys around the club, the focus is on the younger guys and we want to continue to give them exposure at the top level.”
In McIntyre Cup, Bacchus Marsh lost the grand final rematch against Gisborne.
Bacchus Marsh made 7-175 from its overs with captain-coach James Lidgett top scoring with 66.
Gisborne made the runs with one over and three wickets remaining, finishing 7-178.
Sunbury United easily accounted for St Anthony’s. United made 4-221, while St Anthonys finishing 8-114.
Diggers Rest beat Romsey easily.
The Burras skittled Romsey for 103, before finishing 3-105.
Kevin Barker top scored for the Burras with 40.
