By ROY WARD
ENDEAVOUR Hills captain-coach Matt Hutchinson remains confident his side can chase down Oakleigh’s score of 301 on day two of their Victorian Sub District Cricket Association clash this Saturday.
The Oaks scored 9-301 from their 80 overs, making the most of top batting conditions at Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills.
Hutchinson said his side would face a test of its batting resolve against the Oaks. “There is no reason why we can’t chase it down given the same conditions,” he said.
The Oaks won the toss and looked to make the most of perfect batting conditions.
With several Oaks batsmen making starts then getting dismissed, the visitors’ innings hung in the balance when Brent Warren fell at 5-152.
But Michael Splatt (73) and Matt Naughtin (57) linked up and made 118 for the sixth wicket to take their side towards 300.
A few rash shots from the Oaks’ lower order was punished by Hills veteran Richie Saniga (6-34) and the innings finishing at 9-301, leaving the home side a big chase when play resumes this Saturday. Hutchinson said Saniga had made the most of his experience to get his wickets.
“He used all his experience as he has been playing for 50 years. He is pretty old,” he joked. “He bowls medium pacers which spin and cut, which troubled their batsmen.”
Chris Pereira (3-66) was also good for the home side.
Oaks playing coach Brendan McGuinness said the work of Splatt and Naughtin was the key partnership of the innings.
“Our top order got some starts but couldn’t go on with it,” he said. “Splatt and Naughtin were able to put together a good innings. Mick scored at more than a run a ball.
“They picked their moments to play their shots and kept pushing ones and twos as well.”
Hutchinson said his side’s bowling was better than the score indicated. “It was a road [the pitch] with a fast outfield.
“Even if they didn’t bat well they would have still made 230 on it. We can make those runs [this] week, in those conditions we could make them.”
In other VSDCA matches Noble Park will be chasing 256 against Ivanhoe when play resumes in their battle this Saturday.
The VSDCA Legends and Heroes Twenty20 competition resumes on Tuesday night when the Hills visits Mt Waverley at Mt Waverley Reserve with play starting at 5.15pm.
Day two of the Oaks’ clash with Hills will resume at Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills, this Saturday at 1pm.
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