Hills crack in Mustang stampede

By Marc McGowan
ENDEAVOUR Hills has twice faced a highly regarded opponent this season – and twice fallen way short.
The Hills’ brittle batting line-up crumbled again on Saturday, this time to two-time reigning premier Box Hill in their one-day clash at Box Hill City Oval.
And Endeavour Hills’ bowlers could not save the team on this occasion, with the Mustangs reeling in the visitors’ total in just 33 overs and for the loss of just four wickets.
The Peake brothers, Chris (37 runs and 2/28) and in-form off-spinner Shane (3/29), were the only Hills’ players who could hold their heads high in the six-wicket defeat.
Endeavour Hills slumped to 3/21, despite star Box Hill quick Andrew Blake breaking down after just one over.
Chris Peake and his other sibling in the side, gloveman Neil, attempted to resurrect the innings and managed a 42-run union before the latter became the first of Mustangs’ captain Peter Shepard’s (4/15) four victims.
Consistent wickets fell from that point as Box Hill bundled the Hills out for 114 in just under 40 overs.
Just Chris and Neil Peake and veteran Peter Edwards reached double figures.
Skipper Vaughan Baxter’s run of outs continued and has now passed nine just once in five trips to the crease this season.
Sam Blake (2/22) and Rob Fortington (2/23) were the Mustangs’ other multiple wicket-takers.
Box Hill had no such worries in reply, scorching to 72 before losing its first wicket.
Wicketkeeper Justin Farrow (62) compiled his second half-century for the year to lead the hosts’ charge.
The Mustangs batted on after passing Endeavour Hills’ modest tally – in accordance with the rule club officials voted in before the season – and reached 6/164 from their 45 overs.
Hills opening bowlers Richie Saniga – back after missing the last round – and Matt Foenander were economical, but snared just one wicket between them.
Baxter bemoaned another poor batting display from his players.
“I’m more disappointed this week than most weeks, because we threw four or five wickets away,” he said.
“I thought we consolidated pretty well (after falling to 3/21) with Neil and Chris, but when Neil went out it turned the tables and we lost a couple of wickets from there.
“Once again, it was our batting that let us down.”
Baxter conceded his team was ‘a long way from the top’ despite winning three of its first five matches.
“We haven’t made 200 runs (in an innings) this year and we have got to improve,” he said.
“The twos had a good win with an over to spare, but we have got to work on our batting.”
Endeavour Hills travels to Brighton Beach Oval on Saturday for its two-day encounter with Brighton.
The game starts at 1pm.