ROAD closures halted Endeavour Hills’ charge towards the VSDCA 1st XI finals on Saturday.
The Hills did not take the field for the second day of its contest with the Kingston Saints at Sydney Pargeter Reserve due to Power Road and Churchill Park Drive being blocked off.
The closures came after a car accident last week caused a fire that engulfed the surrounding area.
Firefighters still regarded the fire as a danger over the weekend.
The teams shared the points from the match, leaving Endeavour Hills in outright sixth position.
The Hills’ third XI side also had to settle for a draw in its clash with Croydon at the same venue.
But half-centuries to captain Matthew Peake (66 not-out) and Jarod Pickering (51) led Endeavour Hills to a five-wicket second XI triumph over the Kingston Saints at Walter Galt Reserve.
Peake has been in stellar form this summer, making 231 runs at an average of 38.5 and snaring 12 wickets at 22.2.
The Hills fell to 5/152 in reply to the Saints’ 8/199, but Jarrod Russell (34 not-out) helped Peake reach the victory target without further loss.
Endeavour Hills was not so fortunate in the fourth XI, with Croydon reaching 259 in response to the visitors’ meagre 92 at Fred Geale Oval.
Mark Stevens, Vebol Kang, Rhys Ball and Harley Natis all claimed two wickets for the Hills.
– Marc McGowan
