Adam Devlin took two wickets for Yarraville’s Third XI on Saturday. 71961 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
YARRAVILLE’S First XI side began its sub-district season with a heavy loss to Broadmeadows, but head coach George Shaw is remaining calm.
After play was cancelled the previous week, the game effectively turned into a one-dayer on Saturday, with Yarraville skittled for 113 and Broadmeadows passing the total in just 14.3 overs.
Opener Tim McRae (32), Paul Thomas (33), and Alex Hewet (15), were the only batsmen to reach double figures, while Broadmeadows lost just three wickets before claiming the six points. McRae and McGuire took one wicket apiece for Yarraville, while Broadmeadows opener Assad Vala was run out.
Shaw said the result could have been different had his side bowled first.
“I would have liked to have bowled first in the conditions. With our bowling attack I reckon we would have made a little mess of them,” he said.
“The ball was doing a little bit early and we just didn’t play well enough for the conditions. To give Broadmeadows their due they bowled well. They bowled to good areas as you would expect on a track that was doing a little bit.
“The pitch flattened out nicely for them, and a couple of their boys chanced their eye and they got away with it and got the runs fairly quickly.”
Vani Morea was the pick of Broadmeadows’ batsmen, making 43 not out. He also effected the run-outs that dismissed Thomas and new recruit Curtis Maguire for three runs.
“Only two blokes really put their hand up and worked hard with the bat which was disappointing, especially with all the hard work all the lads have put into the pre-season,” Shaw said.
While Yarraville had a disappointing day, Shaw was confident the side was on the right track.
“The club had a very successful day – out of five games, we won four. I know the firsts are the indicator, but I’ve been in too many games where a toss has won a match and I would have loved to see us bowl first and we might have been on the other side of the defence talking about something different.”
“We’ve had a dirty day at the office, we can’t bag them for one day out, let’s look at it at Christmas time and then review where we are.”
Yarraville will take on defending champion Melton in a one-dayer on Saturday.
“Next week’s our indicator of where our firsts are because we play Melton, and obviously they are a lynchpin in the association,” Shaw said.
Yarraville’s Second XI side claimed a comfortable victory, dismissing Broadmeadows for 105 and passing the total with just one wicket down, thanks to a 94-run partnership between Nicolas Duxson and Joshua Everest.
Yarraville’s thirds also had a comfortable win, making 184 runs and bowling Broadmeadows out for 134 runs. Josh Booth and Chris Scott took three wickets each, while Adam Devlin and David Morgan took two each.
In the fours, Yarraville (6/67) defeated Broadmeadows (10/63).
