Rockbank’s season got off to a slow start in the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association A.E Lowe Shield on Saturday.
Rockbank was left to rue its poor handling of both ball and bat against Taylors Hill.
Rockbank senior player Daniel Piccolo said they had left themselves too much work to do late in both innings.
Batting first, Taylors Hill was bowled out in the final over of its innings, making 172.
Rockbank could only respond with 8-155.
“It was a disappointing result,” Piccolo said.
“They were about 40 off six overs, and we then had to go about restricting them.
“We got them to be five for 90-odd, and the aim was to keep them to under 150.
“We didn’t want to be chasing more than that, which we ended up having to do.”
Unlike Taylors Hill, Rockbank struggled early with the bat.
“We could have started a lot better.
“Our run rate was too slow and we made only three runs off the first six overs.”
Piccolo said two 16-year-olds, Jarod Spry and Byron Drew, were impressive.
“Byron took two wickets, and was probably the best of the bowlers. Jarod, our wicketkeeper, came in at number nine and made a few runs.
“Both played B-grade last year and have stepped up into the As. They showed what they can do and have cemented their spots in the team.”
Piccolo said this season was about continuing on the work of last season.
Rockbank finished on top of the ladder before losing in the first week of the finals.
He said more consistency will be the key to developing their game further.
“We have a young side with an average age of 21 or 22. It’s a very similar side to last year … we’ve added a few players here and there.
“We want to keep developing the young blokes and, hopefully, they will stay with us or possibly go on to higher levels. Making finals again is the aim.
“Being consistent, week in and week out, will be the key,” he said.
“Last year, we had players making 50 one week and then a duck the next week … it was the same with the bowling.”
In other matches, Eynesbury Eagles defeated AA Maidstone.
The Eagles batsmen had a field day, making 5-249, more than a run a ball, in their 35 overs.
The bowlers then made easy work of it, bowling Maidstone out for 99.
