It was a tough day for Tallarook Cricket Club in Seymour District Cricket Association, SDCA, A Grade one-day match on Saturday, going down to Eastern Hill at King’s Park Seymour.
Despite a five-wicket haul by Tallarook captain Lachlan Watts, the visitors were unable to mount a run chase to exceed Eastern Hill’s 9/116.
Winning the toss and electing to bat on their home turf, the Eagles lost an early wicket with Brayden Speechley out for nine.
Eastern Hill steadied the ship with the next batsmen putting on 68 runs as Dallas Bergowicz top scored with 35 and Ben Bryant made 24.
At 3/84, the Eagles then suffered a steady loss of wickets, as Watts claimed 5/20 off nine overs.
Tallarook stepped up to bat and with the opening partnership making 12 runs before Shane Topham was bowled.
Watts followed shortly after with some solid bowling by Eastern Hill’s Fraser Lewis, who ended the day with 4/13 for the match.
Tallarook could not increase its run rate enough, with Josh Rudge, 25, the only batsman to make signficant runs.
Watts said it was a good game to measure Tallarook’s skill.
“It’s always good to test ourselves against good sides. Eastern Hill has been the benchmark so far this year,” he said.
“I was pleased with our bowling performance after they got off to a great start.
“It’s personally pleasing to pick up some wickets but it would’ve been nice to keep them under 100.
“We couldn’t put together a partnership on a tough wicket to bat on. Josh Rudge tried hard and batted through a tough period but we just didn’t have anyone to go with him.
“To bat 45 overs is great but we lost too many early wickets to challenge their total.”
At Alexandra, Pyalong defeated the Redbacks 8/155 to 10/37.
Pyalong mounted a 46-run partnership between Sean Walsh and Daniel Sowden early in its innings, before Joseph Ryan top scored with 29.
In reply to Pyalong’s 8/155, Alexandra wickets fell early and quickly as Pyalong’s Matthew Pratt took a bag of five wickets.
Two more wickets to Anthony Pratt had Alexandra 7/14 from 13 overs.
Pyalong captain Jamie Pryor said despite difficult conditions the side did well.
“It was a good team performance, everyone contributed something,” he said.
“I thought our batting was mature. Conditions weren’t easy and Alexandra bowled well up front, keeping wickets in hand for later in the innings is always important so the partnership between Walsh and Sowden was the key.
“The bowling was impressive. Matty Pratt was the standout with five and his brother Anthony backed him up well at the other end. Both boys have been unlucky this season in the wicket column so was good to see some reward for effort.
“Jason Ryan and Mitch Wittig also bowled superb, conceding only six runs between them for 18 overs. The pressure they had on put the game away.
“It was a good result for us leading into a big challenge next week.”
In the round’s other match Seymour defeated Yea 9/76 to 10/74, while Avenal had a bye.
This Saturday, Pyalong host Tallarook, Eastern Hill travels to Yea, and Alexandra will play Avenel, while Seymour has a bye.
