Lenny van der Werff blasted his maiden century against his former club Noble Park at Sydney Pargeter Reserve last Saturday. 27495 Picture: Luke PlummerBy Marc McGowan
LENNY van der Werff told his Endeavour Hills teammates during the week that the clash with Noble Park was his Ashes.
And he certainly treated it that way.
Van der Werff smashed his maiden century – an even 100 – in his return to the first XI against his struggling former club at Sydney Pargeter Reserve.
Gloveman Neil Peake (83) combined with van der Werff for what officials believe was a club-record 169-run stand for the third wicket.
Hills captain-coach Vaughan Baxter declared his side’s innings at 6/323, but not before all-rounder Richard Saniga provided some late-afternoon fireworks.
Saniga, who came in at number-seven, belted a quickfire 73 not-out, including sixes off consecutive no-balls at one stage, to justify Baxter’s decision to elevate him in the order.
But the day belonged to van der Werff and Peake.
They came together at 2/43 and played brilliantly against the hapless Noble Park bowlers.
Noble Park skipper Dean Edmunds turned to spin before the tea break to try to break the partnership, but, despite initially slowing the runs, the Endeavour Hills duo powered on.
Van der Werff, who was dropped in the slips on 42, had a shaky moment in the last over before tea when his drive just cleared the cover fieldsman.
But he could not be denied and reached his ton after the break.
The innings was particularly sweet for the 28-year-old after biding his time in Noble Park’s fourth XI four seasons ago waiting for his opportunity.
Peake was finally out with the score on 212 and van der Werff joined him in the pavilion 10 runs later, but the damage had already been done.
Saniga and, to a lesser degree, Chris Peake (26) continued their good work late in the day as the Hills piled on its runs at more than four-and-a-half an over.
Seventeen-year-old Noble Park quick Eranga Pelpola, who picked up the first two wickets, was the best of the bowlers.
Saniga ensured the visitors’ dismal day continued when he snared a wicket before stumps to leave Noble Park battling at 1/16.
Baxter was thrilled with his players’ display.
“It was a good day. I don’t remember declaring in a very long time,” he said.
“I’ll take 6/323 off 70 overs every day of the week. It gave us the opportunity of declaring and we were able to get a wicket before the end of play.”
Baxter singled out van der Werff’s performance and hopes it was a sign of things to come.
“People doubted whether he was up to that standard, me included, but he’s been given the opportunity and he’s taken it,” he said.
“The future for him is very good.”
The clash resumes at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday at 1pm.
