Eynesbury’s hot start to the Western Suburbs Churches & Community Cricket Association A.E Lowe Shield season has continued.
Having won their opening two matches of the season, the Eagles put on a batting display against fourth-placed Rockbank on Saturday.
The Eagles made 9-317 off their overs on day one of the two day-match.
Speaking before the game, Eagles’ treasurer Terry Psaila said the season’s start had been positive so far for the club overall.
Much of the team that has played off in the past two grand finals has returned, but the club has added some youth.
Captain-coach Luke Castle has returned to the side after playing with Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association side Williamstown, while his brother, Hayden, who has played premier and sub-district cricket, has also returned.
“I think it has strengthened us,” Psaila said. “Luke and Hayden are young and we would like to see them around for a long time.
“We’re getting older in the senior sides and we want to get the younger players coming through.
“A lot of the older players want to play in the lower grades with their sons.”
Graham and Shane Brooks and Jason Compton also joined the club in the off-season.
Psaila said getting their younger players to progress from juniors to seniors was a focus.
“We’ve got two under-14 teams and three under-12s this season, as well as more than 30 players in Milo Cricket,” he said.
“Next season we’re looking at having an under-16 team.
“Instead of making changes to the senior sides when we have players missing, younger players from the fourths may get a chance in the senior side.
“They will get better and better and start pushing into the seniors.”
Psaila said the senior side was keen to atone for last season’s grand final loss.
“It was a pretty disappointing result, last year,” he said.
“Our batting let us down and our good bowling attack didn’t stand up in the grand final.
“We’re aiming to finish in the top two. We want to win premierships in both our top sides.
“It’s early on, but both sides are in the top two.”
Meanwhile, Taylors Hill has a battle on its hands if it is to take the points against AA Maidstone.
Taylors Hill was bowled out for just 120, with Maidstone 3-74 in reply at stumps.
