Hills beats ‘bullies’

By Gavin Staindl
“WE NEED to stand up for ourselves!”
Those were the fighting words given to the Endeavour Hills team members by coach John Hayes days before they announced to the North-East Sub Division competition that they are no longer going to be pushed around.
Chasing 251 on day two of the match-up against Brunswick at A. G. Gillon Oval, the Endeavour Hills batters secured first-innings points, despite at times copping abusive sprays from the Brunswick fielders.
“I had a chat to the boys at training and said we need to be harder,” Hayes said.
“Brunswick tried to bully us verbally, but the boys were great and we batted it out.”
Hayes spoke about past occasions when the Hills batters would fold in the face of pressure and intimidation, but the weekend showed they have learnt how to ‘stand-up for ourselves’.
Having to reach 251 in only 68 overs, the Hills batters, led by Hayes, came out determined.
After all the batters, except for one, made scores of 20 or higher, Hayes (54) and Shane Peake (58 not-out) still had an uphill battle after tea. “I had a chat to Shane (Peake) and decided we needed to get cracking – needed at least four an over,” Hayes said.
After sacrificing his own wicket in pursuit of the quick single, Hayes was eventually run out, but that only made way for Richard Saniga (38 not-out) who, along with Peake, ensured that the first victory of the season was a memorable one.
ENDEAVOUR HILLS then backed up its first win by defeating Box Hill in a one-dayer at Box Hill City Oval on the following Sunday.
Despite being sent into bowl, the Hills’ bowlers restricted Box Hill to only 7/135 after 45 overs. Peake (5/24) and Hayes (0/18) again teamed up, but this time with the ball while Matt Foenander (2/33) was aggressive and took the wicket of danger man Andrew Blake with a slower ball that sneaked its way to the stumps.
In reply, opener Neil Peake (53) finally kick-started his season after a string of low scores and in doing so set the Hills running away with a four-wicket win.
Endeavour Hills sits only one game back from fourth position and with a game against 12th-placed Preston this week, the Hills is in an ideal position to climb further.