By ADEM SARICAOGLU
HOPPERS Crossing is in the box seat to score a vital win in Senior Division Turf Cricket this Saturday.
Led by Sanka Abeyruwan, who claimed five wickets over the weekend, the Cats managed to restrict visiting Old Mentonians to 177 after being forced to bowl in the heat at Hogans Road Reserve.
The job was done after 66.4 overs with Abeyruwan doing all the damage, ripping through the middle and lower Old Mentonians order after the visitors started well to reach three figures for the loss of just two wickets.
Hoppers Crossing captain-coach Darrel Brown, who snared two wickets of his own on Saturday, said he was pleased with his side’s bowling efforts, but did admit the final total could have been lower had catches been held in the field.
“It could’ve been less and one guy did drop an easy catch at mid-on,” Brown explained.
“But at the end of the day in that hot weather, they were two down for 90-odd at tea and to come out and keep them to 177 was pretty good.”
The Cats had 13 overs in the middle late in the day’s play and were able to reach 1/28 by stumps.
Mathematically, ninth-placed Hoppers Crossing could still sneak into the top four, but on the flipside the Cats are not yet safe from relegation, either.
A win this weekend, however, would at least keep them in the Senior Division for another 12 months, and Brown and his team-mates are well aware of the stakes, come Saturday.
With an even 150 required for victory, Brown said confidence was high in the dressing room.
“We’ve got nine wickets to get the runs, so there are no excuses, because if we don’t get it, we’re looking at relegation,” Brown said.
“Anything could happen, but the guys are pretty confident we’re going to get it.”
Hoppers Crossing batsmen Cameron Nicol and Ryan Latham will resume their innings at the crease this Saturday.
