Endeavour Hills batsman Shaun Tongue had no answer for this Nick Rickerby delivery in his club’s encounter with Bayswater at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday. Picture: Meagan Rogers.By Marc McGowan
THERE was no grand finish for Endeavour Hills in the final round of the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday.
The Hills locked horns with fellow mid-table club Bayswater, but struggled from the outset before succumbing by seven wickets in a lopsided one-day contest.
Some undisciplined batting from Endeavour Hills and quality bowling from Bayswater restricted the home side to 4/51.
Opener Ryan Pearson (20 runs) was impressive again, but could not go on with the job and was joined in the pavilion by batting mainstays Justin Merlino, Shaun Tongue and captain-coach Ben Maroney.
All-rounder Dom Paynter (29), who smacked a six off the first ball he faced, continued his strong conclusion to the season and tried to lift his team back to respectability with wicketkeeper Jason Williams.
But their 36-run partnership ended when Bayswater’s Nick Rickerby (3/36 from six overs) uprooted Paynter’s stumps.
The dismissal sparked a loss of 4/9 that left the Hills wobbling at 8/96 and in danger of falling short of three figures.
Fortunately fast bowler Simon Black (18 not out) enhanced his growing reputation with the bat once again.
Teenage prospect Matt Aslett (15) supported Black well in a 24-run union, but when he was removed the innings came to a quick close.
Mark Collins (2/11 from six overs), Tim Emmett (2/12 from five overs) and Brendan O’Riley (2/27 from six overs) joined Rickerby in capturing multiple scalps.
Bayswater then came out all guns blazing despite losing an early wicket.
Collins (48) and John Salter (23) battered Endeavour Hills’ attack, ruining 14-year-old Lachlan McIver’s trial with the new ball.
Black (2/35 from six overs) wound up dismissing both players, but that only brought O’Riley (13 not out) and Darryl Stranger (20 not out) to the crease and they carried on the run spree.
Ultimately, the winning runs were scored with almost 25 overs to spare.
The crushing loss ended the Hills’ career-best season and Maroney said the deck’s initial condition hindered the team’s chances.
“There was a little bit in the pitch and we lost the toss again, which was crucial,” he said.
“The wicket had a little in it, but not too much, and then flattened out for them.
“Apart from that, we just didn’t bat real well and they came out swinging from the word go and hit the ball pretty cleanly.”
Maroney praised Black’s display and has high hopes for McIver.
“Simon Black finished off the year well and I think 18 of his 20 wickets came after Christmas,” he said.
“Lachie is not up to ones standard yet, but will play a lot of ones cricket in the next couple of years, so we thought we’d give him a go.
“He’s a tallish boy and bowls good areas. He lacks a bit of pace, but that will come – he’s a good kid.”
Endeavour Hills finished in 10th position in the East/West Group with five wins, a tie and seven losses.
The club’s third-placed second XI side hosts second-ranked Box Hill in their semi-final clash at Sydney Pargeter Reserve this Saturday and Sunday.
