By Marc McGowan
SATURDAY’S record total of 8/361 has Endeavour Hills in charge in its two-day Victorian Sub District Cricket Association first XI match against Werribee at Chirnside Park.
Hills captain-coach Ben Maroney had no hesitation in electing to bat after winning the toss, but his side made a woeful start.
Ryan Pearson, Justin Merlino (20) and the previous weekend’s star Shaun Tongue were all back in the pavilion with just 41 runs on the scoreboard.
But it did not take long for Endeavour Hills to start taking advantage of the batter-friendly wicket and lightning-fast outfield when Maroney (103) joined English teenager Karl Turner (149) at the crease.
The pair monstered the Tigers’ attack, with both bladesmen belting centuries as they formed a 279-run alliance to take the Hills to 3/320.
Unfortunately for Endeavour Hills, they both fell on that score, but by then the damage had already been done.
No further Hills batsmen made an impact, although wicketkeeper Jason Williams chipped in with a handy unbeaten 15 to help the visitors compile the record total.
The previous best tally in the club’s history was 358, which was achieved against Oakleigh in the 2000-01 season.
Werribee’s Paul Murray (5/66) was the only bowler to make an imprint on Endeavour Hills’ line-up.
On the previous round’s form, the Tigers are unlikely to trouble the Hills after posting 65 and 80 in a humbling outright defeat.
Unfortunately Endeavour Hills was not as potent with the willow the following day, when it played its postponed round one encounter against Box Hill.
The Hills scored only 136 and the Mustangs took just 37.3 overs and six wickets to take the one-day honours.
Maroney was still pleased with his club’s weekend output, and is hopeful of Endeavour Hills recording its second triumph of the season.
“It was a good weekend. It was good batting with Karl – he’s pretty experienced, even though he’s a young bloke,” he said.
“We have an extra bowler in there this week (spinner Dominic Paynter came in for veteran batsman Peter Edwards).
“We just need to bowl to our fields and stay patient – we can’t mix it up too much.”
The conclusion to the two-day clash against Werribee begins at 1pm on Saturday.
