Hills coach pleased by result

By Ben Hope
ENDEAVOUR Hills coach John Hayes is happy with his team’s effort in the field against Balwyn last weekend, describing it as “one of the better fielding and bowling efforts of the year.”
Endeavour Hills won’t give up the fight to make it into the top four but for now the team is focused on chasing the 236 set by Balwyn when the teams meet again this Saturday.
Facing windy conditions, Hayes said his team put in one of its best performances of the season leaving Balwyn all out just short of 80 overs. “Dale Manson did a great job with two outs and Shane Peake had a good performance bowling against the wind,” Hayes said. “The wicket was pretty flat and the boys fought hard.”
Strong fielding kept Balwyn under pressure after they won the toss and opted to bat in windy conditions at Sydney Pargeter Reserve.
Balwyn opener David Bell managed 30 runs before being caught by Shane Peake, leaving Balwyn with 75/2. Ben Gordon hit an impressive 56 before he was bowled by Hayes.
Richard Saniga returned to the Hills team and caught two balls, including the ball that ended the innings for Balwyn with a duck for Clinton Kennon.
Hayes is confident his team will be able to meet their target this weekend after putting in a solid all-round performance on the field.
“Chasing is a strength of ours, we haven’t been able to do it the other way,” he said. “I think we are more of a batting side at it’s always nice to be able to look at the board and know where you are.”
With only two games left in the season Hayes said his team would need to focus on one game at a time as they meet Oakleigh and then Bayswater to finish the season. “We just have to win this one and then keep going. Hopefully we’ll be back in the hunt. If we get a couple of other result going our way we could still be in with a chance at the finals.”
Endeavour Hills is currently in 12th position on the ladder on 24 points, 10 points behind fourth-placed Preston.