Hills flattened

By Gavin Staindl
ENDEAVOUR HILLS is in strife on day one at Warrawee Park Oval after it was bowled out for 119 against the Victorian Sub-District league-leaders Oakleigh.
Oakleigh’s Ben Pinwell (4/35) and Jarrod Travaglia (3/16) hit the wicket hard and never allowed the Hills’ batters to settle in at the crease.
Endeavour Hills’ Bihan Weerakoon made 32 and Neil Peake made 30 in his first two-dayer of the month, but the positives quickly dropped away for the team that has only won three matches this season.
After winning the toss, captain John Hayes quickly found himself back in the middle at 5/74 and shortly after his team had been bowled out for 119.
Oakleigh in reply were 0/68 but it could easily have been 3/50, Hayes believes.
“We dropped three straightforward catches that could have had them at 3/50 or better,” Hayes said.
According to Hayes it was the “same old story”.
“All-in-all it is the same thing. We had a reasonable start … but it is the story of the year – no-one goes on with their starts,” Hayes said.
On a warm day made for batting, Endeavour Hills quickly discovered why Oakleigh were the league leaders.
“It was just a difference in class.
“Our guys are a bit tired and not as strong as their guys. We can’t hit the wicket as hard and overall they’re better structurally,” Hayes said.
But Hayes recognised the need to remain focussed on the future.
“There are certainly positives. Lauchy McIver opened the batting and looked OK, but unfortunately nicked one. Neal Peake was the last wicket to go and was good in his return.”
And with five of the 11 players under the age of 21 and the Peake brothers, Neal and Shane, only two years older than that there is certainly much to look forward to.
In the meantime, Hayes has set an immediate goal of taking 10 wickets.
“Our challenge now is to take 10 wickets and bowl out Oakleigh,” Hayes said.