Dylan Kight made 63, took three catches and effected a run-out in a superb performance on Saturday. 71603 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
FOOTSCRAY Edgewater has bounced back from an unsuccessful double header last fortnight to post a convincing win against Casey-South Melbourne in Numurkah on Saturday.
After the Bulldogs’ match against Camberwell was abandoned last weekend, another wash-out was on the cards after Friday’s rainfall, but kind Saturday weather and a well-maintained Numurkah pitch proved a batsmen’s treat, and Footscray Edgewater captain Travis Gloury made the most of it with a superb knock of 83.
Footscray Edgewater was 3/40 when Gloury and wicket-keeper batsman Dylan Kight (63) produced a 105-run partnership as the Bulldogs marched on to 185.
Gloury said he would have liked the side to have reached 200, but a Rodney Bird hat-trick, which consisted of three LBW decisions, finished the tail off quickly.
Footscray Esgewater dismissed Casey-South Melbourne for 110, with Andrew McCammond, Travis Dean and Lucas Dredge claiming two wickets each.
Gloury said the bowling was tight, disciplined and cautious.
“(Brad) Robertson and McCammond got off to a really good start and we just didn’t give them much to hit so we were able to build pressure and force a few false shots and create a little bit of panic,” Gloury said.
The pressure resulted in two run outs to middle-order batsmen Roshan Livera and Clive Rose.
“We were 3/75 after 25 overs and they were about the same, and we managed to get a couple of quick wickets after that. That was the game-breaker right there and then,” Gloury said.
“We knew it was one of the wickets where we weren’t going to bowl wicket taking balls, we had to build the pressure, bowl plenty of dot balls and be patient.
Gloury praised the efforts of veteran McCammond, who returned to the club this year after two years off.
“He’s been terrific. His enthusiasm around the group, his still got a bit of pace, his a left-armer and he’s tall, and there’s not a lot of them around, so for him to come back in to our mix and add some depth and a bit of firepower has been terrific for us.”
At the other end of the age spectrum is 19-year-old Kight, who has shown a maturity beyond his years and after four games is averaging 31.75, and has been sound with the gloves.
Kight took three catches behind the wicket, including a curly one when he was up at the stumps and controlled a bobbling ball to take it like a chest mark.
Footscray Edgewater will take on Essendon at Windy Hill in the first day of a tow-dayer this Saturday.
