By Jonty Ralphsmith
Clyde has established itself as one of the in-form teams of the competition, continuing its winning form by comfortably chasing down Merinda Park’s 251 on Saturday.
After dropping its first four games of a brutal start to the season against each of last season’s finalists, the Cougars have found stability in recent weeks.
They backed up a 116-run over Devon Meadows by bowling Upper Beaconsfield out cheaply in a rain-affected drawn round six fixture, before Saturday’s win.
It has the club sitting just one game outside the top four.
“Those wins are something Clyde has missed out on in seasons past,” said senior skipper Trevor Bauer.
“It might have been a blessing in disguise playing the strong teams early because we could gauge where we were at and see where we came up short tactically so to put that into practice and come out on top against teams around us has been rewarding for the club.”
Positively for the Cougars, their top-order has shown an ability to make big scores.
Since settling on the preferred batting lineup, Trevor Bauer, Michael Vandort and Praveen Perera have all made centuries, while Kane Avard and Anurudda ‘Teddy’ Fonseka have each passed 50.
Perera and Avard were the two major contributors in the round-seven run chase, seeing off the opening spell before exploiting Merinda Park’s lack of bowling depth.
Avard dug in for 67, firstly setting the foundation in a 47-run opening partnership with Bauer before complementing Perera who scored 107 off 104.
Perera’s timing was impeccable through an innings of 107 off 104, before being forced to retire hurt with a hamstring injury.
“That was as good an innings as I’ve seen from a number three,” Bauer said of Perera.
“He was hitting the ball not only well but also hard and into gaps.
“His stroke play was unbelievable – they were proper cricket shots going to the boundary.
“They would move the field around and he would still find gaps.
“He looks like the sort of player who makes you pay and when he’s on, he can change a game.
“From a captaincy perspective, you couldn’t ask for much more.
“We wanted the top six to take ownership of the chase which they did.
“Kane showed a level of maturity we haven’t seen from him in the past.
“His talent is high but he showed batsmanship and an understanding of what it takes to make big runs.
“We knew Tyson (Bertrand) and Matt (Campbell) were their main threats and from there they threw the ball around to the second and third change bowlers so we knew if we could get through the opening spell and take the game deep, we would score the runs.
Having proven their ability to match it with the sides around them on the ladder, Clyde will get another chance to test itself against the best on Saturday when it takes on Pakenham in a one-dayer.
A victory could draw them within percentage of the top four at Christmas, but they could be two games outside finals if results go against them.
“I think it will be quiet confidence,” Bauer said of the mood this week.
“I wouldn’t say we’re expecting to beat a Pakenham or a Tooradin but with the work we’ve been able to do, we know we’re close and once a win falls our way against a top four side, that will hammer in the belief.
“We’re not quite there, but we’re close to making the jump.
“Believing in the form line and believing in what we do to compete will be important this week.”
