Right: Endeavour Hills captain-coach Ben Maroney scored a useful 22 with the bat on Saturday, but could not lead his side to victory against Altona. By Marc McGowan
A WOEFUL bowling performance cost Endeavour Hills its opening Victorian Sub District Cricket Association (VSDCA) match against Altona at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday.
The Hills bowlers delivered an astounding 19 wides, but Altona was not much better, producing 12 of its own.
Dom Paynter was the only one of the seven Endeavour Hills bowlers not to transgress, while English recruit Karl Turner was the worst offender with six wides.
Turner had a rude welcome to the VSDCA when Gary Hancock removed him in the first over of the day for a duck.
The 19-year-old Durham all-rounder did recover in his second spell with the leather to finish with 2/26 from seven overs.
In tough, slow batting conditions, Endeavour Hills captain-coach Ben Maroney (22 runs) chose to bat, and after Turner’s dismissal, he and Ryan Pearson (28) provided a strong platform.
But when Pearson was removed with the score on 46, the Hills fell into a temporary heap as Shaun Tongue and Maroney quickly followed their younger compatriot back to the pavilion.
The big-hitting Chris Peake (49 not out) strode to the wicket and scored his runs at faster than a run a ball, with support from Matthew Hutchinson (24) and Jason Williams (19).
Their contributions lifted the home side to a total of 6/159, which was nine runs more than Maroney had hoped for at the start of the innings.
Matthew Boglis (2/7) and Gordon MacFarlane (2/14) were the pick of the Altona bowlers.
Endeavour Hills was confident it was in charge, but that ascendancy was quickly relinquished with its bowlers spraying the ball all over the pitch in a rusty performance.
Altona captain David Wolfe (38) promoted himself to the opening slot and together with Daniel Broadbent (40) formed a partnership of 74 for the first wicket.
The visitors moved to 2/116, and despite losing 5/43 were able to sneak over the line by three wickets.
Ryan Kitchin returned the best bowling figures for Endeavour Hills with 2/14.
Maroney knew it was going to be a difficult match-up with last year’s runner-up, but thought his squad had put itself in a winning postition.
“Altona is a pretty experienced side and I expect them to be right up there this season,” he said.
“We just need to improve our bowling and start putting it in the right areas more consistently.
“Our batting is coming along nicely and we’re a pretty good fielding side. It was still a pretty good performance.”
The Hills will look to make amends when its locks horns with Broadmeadows in the first two-dayer of the year at Sewell Reserve, starting on Saturday at 1pm.
