Endeavour Hills players rush to celebrate fast bowler Simon Black’s third catch in a row against Sunshine at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Sunday. By Marc McGowan
AN UP-AND-DOWN weekend in the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association has Endeavour Hills hanging by a thread in the race for a finals spot.
An almost certain loss against ladder leader Williamstown awaits the Hills this weekend, but Endeavour Hills did manage a five-wicket triumph over bottom-placed Sunshine on Sunday.
On a damp Sydney Pargeter Reserve wicket affected by rain on the three previous days, the Hills was put into bat against Williamstown on Saturday.
Despite the poor state of the pitch, Endeavour Hills captain-coach Ben Maroney decided – with his club’s top-four hopes on the line – that the game must go ahead.
Unfortunately, Williamstown ran through the Hills’ top order, having it 3/13 and then 4/29.
The in-form Dom Paynter (52 runs) and Maroney (20) went to work to spark a revival, but their blossoming alliance ended at 48 runs.
All-rounder Matthew Hutchinson (24) was the only other Endeavour Hills batsman to reach double digits from then on as Williamstown dismissed the home team for 133.
Williamstown then raced to 2/80 by stumps on the back of strong contributions from Matthew Drain (40) and Craig Sheedy, who made 34, after snaring 3/22 with the ball.
Desperately needing a win in its clash with Sunshine at the same venue the next day, the Hills produced an inspired team effort.
Each of Endeavour Hills’ six bowlers chimed in with a wicket, with off-spinning all-rounder Shaun Tongue (2/28 from nine overs) returning the best figures.
Sunshine collapsed from the good platform of 3/101 to be all-out for 195.
After crumbling the previous afternoon, the Hills’ opening batsmen Ryan Pearson (68) and Justin Merlino (28) combined for a 103-run union.
Merlino was a rock, lasting more than 30 overs to make his runs, which was exactly what his side required.
Once Pearson departed, the attacking role was picked up by Maroney (42) and Paynter (31 not out) as Endeavour Hills cruised past the victory target.
Maroney was happy with his squad’s display on Sunday, but knows the Hills is only an outside chance of making the finals.
“Just looking at the ladders, barring a miracle, we’ll probably miss out by half a game,” he said.
“A couple of losses to bottom sides and the tie (against Mount Waverley in November) really hurt us, but you still never know – there could be a few upsets.
“We have a slim hope and while there is that little chance we’ll keep holding onto it.”
If Endeavour Hills is to make the finals, it will have to do so without star English import Karl Turner, who headed home last week after struggling with a side strain for a month.
The Hills’ encounter with Williamstown continues at Sydney Pargeter Reserve from 1pm on Saturday.
