Hills on a high, briefly

By Gavin Staindl
JUST as quickly as it arrived, it had disappeared but for the first time in months sub-district side Endeavour Hills sensed victory.
Defending 111 on a slow Sydney Pargeter Reserve, the Hills were knocked around by the Box Hill batters but a stark batting collapse left the visitors down seven wickets still needing 13 runs to win.
A joint effort between bowlers and fielders sparked the 4/11 collapse but the Eagles could not snatch the remaining three wickets to get over the line.
It hasn’t been a pleasant season for the Hills who have not won a game since round three and have averaged fewer than 90 runs with the bat in their last four outings.
But on the weekend, Hills coach John Hayes said his team had enjoyed the little sniff of victory that blew their way.
“It was a good second half of bowling,” Hayes said. “We took four wickets in a short period of time and we were back in the game.
“Had we pinched another one I reckon we would have rolled them.
“At the end of the day it was a good effort by the boys who fought it out … they’ve been a lot more positive since then,” Hayes said.
Being sent in to bat at the start of the day, the Eagles were once again poor with the bat but a lower-order stand gave credibility to the score.
Matt Aslett (25), Andrew Reed (15) and Matt Foenander (10 n.o.) all played their part down the batting line as Endeavour went from 6/47 to all out for 111.
Box Hill bounced out to a strong start, losing only one wicket before passing 70, but strong bowling by Hayes (3/22), his best figures since joining as club coach two years ago, and Chris Pereira (1/15) restricted the scoring.
Even with the slow outfield Hayes was sceptical that his side could defend 111 and after 40 overs his worries were justified as Box Hill passed the target with three wickets in hand.
Along with the rest of the sub-district community, Endeavour Hills next week will play in only its second two-dayer for the season.
As Endeavour’s only win for the season came from that sole two-dayer back in round three it is no wonder the Eagles are looking forward to getting back to the 80-over format.
“The boys are rubbing their mitts together at the thought of batting for a whole day,” Hayes said.
“I never thought I would see the day but I’m sick of one-dayers and twenty20s.
“We keep getting bowled out cheaply and we’re all just looking forward to spending some time at the crease.”