Ross Horkings lines up for Spotswood last week. 71957 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By Liam Twomey
YARRAVILLE Club Cricket Club has proved they will once again be the team to beat in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, after the defending champions produced a stunning victory over Bentleigh.
Chasing a competitive 273, the Clubbers were never threatened, bringing up the target after 50 overs for the loss of just three wickets.
Bentleigh made a promising start to the match as they snared the
early wicket of Yarraville captain/coach Justin Baker with the score on just 28.
However, that brought Michael O’Keefe to the crease and together with Anthony Cristofaro, the two put on a batting clinic.
They produced a staggering 213-run partnership for the second wicket to take the game away from the Demons.
Baker described the batting performance as awesome.
“There weren’t too many chances in those innings either. They really carried the boys,” he said.
“Michael O’Keefe is a guy we look to, but it was really good to see Anthony stand up and get his first
ton for the club as well; it was excellent.”
By the time Cristofaro was dismissed for 101, Yarraville was 2/241 and just 32 runs away from victory.
O’Keefe insured there would be late innings collapses as he battered through the remainder of the match and finished on 129 not out in a knock that included 22 fours and one six.
Viv Ion inflicted more pain on the Demons as he belted a quick fire 27, before being dismissed by Alex Caravelas.
David Gelbart was the pick of the Bentleigh bowlers, taking 1/67 from his 14 overs.
After two rounds, Yarraville sit in second place on the VTCA ladder and will be looking to make it three wins from as many games this week when they take on Hoppers Crossing.
“We are reasonably happy at the moment. There is still a lot of work to be done by the guys at training, but we are happy with the way things are going,” Baker said.
The preparations for the Cats have already been hampered, after they missed out on the chance to play any cricket in their rain-affected match.
Spotswood had set Hoppers Crossing the tough total of 243 from 80 overs.
However, Melbourne’s weather had other ideas, ensuring a ball would not be bowled on day two.
Despite splitting the points, the Cats will be disappointed at missing the chance to spend some quality time in the middle, ahead of one of the toughest challengers the VTCA has to offer.
Williamstown CYMS had a horror day with the bat, as they fell 186 runs short against a switched-on McKinnon.
The CYs were set the massive target of 311 to chase, and they never got close as they were dismissed for 125.
Chris Read was the destroyer with the ball, taking 4/34 from his 18 overs.
The loss leaves Williamstown in last place on the ladder, without a win.
They will look to turn their form around this week when they take on St Bernard’s OC.
