Hills open account

By Gavin Staindl
ENDEAVOUR Hills has won its first game of the Sub-District season with a six-wicket win over Sunshine at Dempster Park.
Matt Aslet (4/27) set up the win, igniting the Sunshine batting collapse that took the home team from 2/50 to 9/92.
Endeavour Hills’ opener Richie Evans (44) and first drop Henry Vettivelu (40) took over with the bat in the latter half of the day, leading their team its first win since early January.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Hills who at times struggled to find rhythm with the ball.
Twenty two wides and seven no-balls frustrated coach John Hayes.
“We didn’t bowl very well,” Hayes said.
“The 117 was very flattering for them, we should have bowled them out for 70 or 80 instead we gave them almost an extra five overs,” he said.
But Hayes was quick to praise his opening batters for putting the game beyond doubt early in the Hills innings.
“Henry (Vettivelu) is batting at three and getting runs.
“He is hitting the ball beautifully while Richie (Evans) is a good player and having him at the top of the order takes the pressure off the rest of the line-up.
“But he owes (Neil) Peake half a dozen beers for running him out,” he said in jest.
Peake was run out on eight but Hayes is confident that Peake will once again be a pillar to build his improving side around.
“Peake is a nice and solid batter, but that is what we want, if one or two players miss out we want other players to step up.
“There is significant improvement we just have to chip away and do the right things.
“We did a lot right on the weekend but we also did a lot wrong. Our aim now is to do more right than wrong,” he said.