By Tara Murray
Sydenham-Hillside bounced back from a reality check in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
The Storm suffered their first loss of the season in the previous round to Yarraville Club, which beat them for the first time.
But the side quickly showed why they are seen as one of the teams to beat on Saturday on day one of its clash with Aberfeldie.
The Storm was bowled out for 335 in the second last over of the day.
The runs were shared around with four players scoring half centuries, led by Ishan Peiris with 64.
Storm president Bob Kunesevic said they were happy with that batting performance.
“It was a really even contribution across the board,” he said. “Aberfeldie was pretty good on the weekend.
“The wicket was pretty flat. We need to continue on with that mindset.”
Kunesevic said while you never want a reality check like they did against Yarraville Club. He said it wasn’t ideal but it was better to occur now than later in the year.
“We were really happy after having our pants pulled down by Yarraville Club.
“We went back to work and saw where we could go. It’s important to continue that consistency throughout the year to be there in March.”
Kunesevic said the group was starting to come together having added a number of new players in the off season.
He said the number of washouts hadn’t helped them, with two games they were in control of being washed out.
“It’s about gelling really and stringing things together and seeing how we go,” he said. “Everyone is finding their feet in the first XI and doing a fantastic job.”
It was a good weekend for the Storm, with both its women’s sides getting wins on the board.
In the VTCA women’s competition, the Storm got its first win of the season, beating Glenroy.
The Storm made 9-77 from their 20 overs with Hannah Brne top scoring with 18.
It was then able to restrict Glenroy to 4-64 from its overs.
The Storm sit sixth after seven rounds.
Kunesevic said they had a really young side and it was nice for them to get some reward for effort.
In the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association division 3 women’s competition, the Storm beat Lalor Stars to get its second win of the season.
Meanwhile in the VTCA Roy Picone Shield, Caroline Springs made 5-333 against Sunshine Heights.
