Tara Murray
Melton South Royals strong early season form continued on Saturday as they claimed their third win of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Evans-Clark season.
The Royals produced a strong run chase against Werribee Centrals to come away with the points.
Coach Adam Miller said things were falling into place early on.
“It has been good and it’s nice to get a good start,” he said. “The bowlers did their job last week and we were very confident in the batting group we have would set us up.
“We were confident that if we bat our overs we will get there.”
The Royals needed 201 for victory.
Miller said he had a few nerves about the run chase, but they proved to be for nothing as they did it comfortably.
The Royals finished 6-201 with seven overs remaining.
“We knew what we needed to do,” Miller said. “If we batted our 80 overs it was only two and half runs per over.
“There would be times when the bowlers weren’t bowling as well, and we had to wait for that to happen.”
Skipper Andrew Hodgart top scored with 57, while Praveen De Silva made 44 in the run chase.
Miller said every player was playing their role and it was the best way they could get the best from the team.
“Pretty much all the guys and the guys, who have filled in, have played their roles too,” he said.
“Andrew Hodgart made 50 and Praveen made 44. Blake Ivory and Michael [Anchor] came in when we had nearly 50 runs to get.
“They batted us to the end. We have a really good batting line and we bat to 11.”
After three rounds, the Royals sit three points clear on top of the ladder.
Miller said they were just taking it week by week despite the good start.
“We’re not taking anyone in the competition lightly,” he said, “There have been some results that we weren’t expecting.
“We play Laverton this week… We need to go in with a positive attitude and bat and bowl well and hopefully it continues on.
“We are 3-0 but we have to be realistic and not get too far ahead of ourselves.”
In other results, Sydenham-Hillside is undefeated in the senior division.
Chasing 167, the Storm made 5-197 before declaring .Anthony Alleyne top scored with 67.
The Saints finished 1-109 in reply.
In the Roy Picone Shield, Caroline Springs got the points against Kingsville.
Chasing 167, the Falcons finished 3-173 in reply. Gurpreet Suri top scored with 54.
While in the Russell Pollock Shield, Melton Centrals and Burnside Springs United both had losses.
Needing 133, Centrals fell just six runs short as they were bowled out for 127.
It was a day to forget for Burnside that was bowled out for 65 in reply to 136.
