By Mark Murray
SUNSHINE fell victim to a disciplined Oakleigh on Saturday in their Victorian Sub District Cricket Association clash.
Sunshine won the toss and batted first, but was bogged down and eventually frustrated out of the game by a talented Oakleigh bowling attack.
Lee Hodgson was the main danger, taking 4/12 from eight overs while Matthew Donnelly (1/22), Benjamin Pinwill (2/18), Jarrod Travaglia (1/14) and Michael Splatt (1/27) all played their part for Oakleigh.
Daniel Eastley was the only Sunshine batsmen to look like getting on top of them, making an unbeaten 35.
Travaglia then caused Sunshine plenty of problems with the bat, belting an unbeaten half century to help his side to 5/114 and the points.
In other VSDCA games, Williamstown kickstarted its season in style with a hard-nosed victory over Noble Park.
The Seagulls travelled to Noble Park with an impressive XI and the combination worked first up.
They won the toss and batted and were served well by their top order in posting a dogged 8/194.
They then bowled the home side out for 150 to record a comfortable victory.
Matthew Drain and Craig Sheedy were the anchors of the Williamstown innings and both got their summer campaigns off on the right foot.
The Seagulls were off to a shaky start when Mark Brown was clean bowled without scoring, but Drain and Sheedy soon rebuilt the innings.
The pair enjoyed an 84 run stand for the second wicket, both playing some dazzling cricket shots.
Sheedy eventually departed for 39 after helping Williamstown nudge its total up around the 100 mark with only two wickets down.
Drain then enjoyed another valuable partnership with Brenton Leigh Hodges, the pair adding a further 39 runs for the third wicket.
Drain was caught for 58 with the score 3/132, but his dismissal sparked some cheap wickets.
At 6/165, Noble Park was threatening to restrict Williamstown to a more than gettable one with some disciplined bowling.
But some late cameo knocks from Nick Jenson (18) and Graham Murdoch (14) ensured a healthy target.
Sanjeewa Weerasinghe, Sean Schubert and Rod Douthie each picked up two wickets for Noble Park.
An impressive bowling performance restricted Noble Park’s run chase.
They lost wickets at regular intervals and were never allowed to gain any real momentum.
Opening batsman Karl Brown had the better of the Seagulls’ pace attack smashing an impressive 84, but he lacked support with Andrew O’Meara the next highest scorer on 21.
Daryl Clemson, Cain Speakman, Cameron Smith and Rohan Smith were all tidy with the ball for Williamstown.
Sheedy and David Croft were the leading wicket takers, claiming 2/31 and 2/29 respectively.
In other matches Melton defeated Croyden, posting 134 and bowling the latter out for 86.
Bayswater had a solid victory over Werribee.
Travis Dean (37) and Mitchell Chadwick (34) helped Werribee to a competitive 6/162, but Bayswater was successful in its run chase finishing 7/176 with Rod March (35no) and Matthew DeNeefe (28no) leading the way.
Dean and Chadwick are considered two of the brightest young talents in the state and Werribee will be hoping they both enjoy exciting summers.
Oakleigh defeated Sunshine, Box Hill toppled Mt Waverley and Altona secured the points against Endeavor Hills.
