By Tara Murray
Melton South Royals are backing in their bowlers to get the job this Saturday to seal the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Evans-Clark Shield premiership.
The Royals managed to put together a solid total on Saturday against East Coburg to give itself something to defend as the side aims for its first top grade premiership in the VTCA.
While the Royals were keen to get the job done on Sunday, they have to wait until Saturday after Sunday’s action was washed out and the reserve day has come into play.
Royals opener Blake Ivory said while their wicket at Melton Recreation Reserve was good despite the rain, the run up was still wet so they decided to call the day off and use the reserve day.
“We are the higher team so if we had played, it would have advantaged us,” he said. “That’s not fair on them. You would rather win it the right way or lose the right away. Whatever happens next week, we would rather play on the reserve day.”
East Coburg won the toss on Saturday and decided to send the Royals into bat in the warm conditions.
It was a real mixed innings according to Ivory.
“It should have been a bit more,” he said. “We lost a couple of quick wickets after tea and handed them the momentum.
“We got going again and it was looking like we would get 220 but we lost wickets which was able to thwart that momentum.
“We’re happy with 170, but we would have liked a bit more.”
Dean Pirro top scored with 44 in the middle order, while Ivory and Leigh Edwards both scored 33 earlier on.
Ivory said their ground wasn’t a high scoring ground which would play into their favour as they try and restrict East Coburg.
“We are a strong bowling side, we’ll back ourselves in,” he said. “We were chasing that score last week, it’s the reverse.
“We were confident with the bat on a good deck and it was not easy. It won’t be easy on a hard wicket, especially if we bowl well.”
The Royals second XI will also have a battle on their hands as they aim for premiership glory against Footscray Angliss in the “Sport” King Shield.
Angliss made 247 as it was bowled out in the 68th over. Michael Anchor took three wickets for the Royals.
The Royals faced one over and will resume at 0-4.
“Footscray is a good side and have been the best side all year,” Ivory said. “They are chasing on a fast outfield and a good wicket.”
Action in all other grades was called off on Sunday, with all grand finals heading into the following weekend.
