Hills looks to Peakes

Endeavour Hills teenager Lachlan McIver snared one wicket to help his team bowl the Kingston Saints out for 186 at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday. 26472 Picture: Luke Plummer

By Marc McGowan
THE Peake brothers will be the key when Endeavour Hills resumes its run chase against the Kingston Saints at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday.
Gloveman Neil Peake and all-rounder Chris Peake were the unbeaten batsmen when the Hills went to stumps at a perilous 3/36 last weekend.
Endeavour Hills’ batting performance in the final nine overs put a slight dampener on its afternoon after dismissing the Saints for 186.
The third of the Peake brothers in the Hills’ first XI, Shane, chimed in with 5/53 from 20 overs.
The five-wicket haul was the left-arm off-spinner’s second of the season and gives him 29 scalps at the miserly average of 14.5.
And Endeavour Hills captain-coach Vaughan Baxter believes Shane Peake and his brothers will have a major role to play this Saturday.
“The two Peakes (Neil and Chris) are hitting the ball the best out of everybody at the moment,” Baxter said.
“(Peter) Edwards made 130-odd last round and even the tail has batted all right – Shane has averaged 20-odd.
“It’s a 50-50 game.”
Kingston faced an uphill battle to post a strong target after losing a wicket before reaching double figures and then collapsing to 4/54.
But Bruce Hara (33) and all-rounder Oliver Saffell (31) righted the ship somewhat with a 56-run union.
Skipper Adrian Jones (38) and Ryan Barnett (20) made solid late-order contributions to ensure the Saints reached a defendable score.
Opening bowler Matthew Foenander (2/34) supported Shane Peake well in another efficient display.
Kingston’s total could have been even less if not for some sloppy fielding that Baxter estimates cost his side up to 15 runs.
The Hills lost Englishman Richard Evans cheaply in reply and Henry Vettivelu – after moving swiftly to 13 – followed soon after.
Jones trapped struggling opener Justin Merlino in front for the second of his lbws just before the end of play.
Saffell claimed the Saints’ other wicket in his sole over.
Baxter is banking on his players’ sudden resurgence with the bat to lead them to their third straight victory.
“I was happy we got them out for under 200, but it was disappointing to lose three late wickets,” he said.
“All it takes is one or two major partnerships. Maybe they’re slightly in front, but our batting is starting to come good.
“We have 80 overs to make 150 runs, so if we bat the overs we’ll win the game – I’d still back us.”
The match continues at 1pm on Saturday.