Tara Murray
Wyndham Vale is taking lessons out of every game in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield.
It’s been a tough start for the Vales, without a win after the first three rounds, including an outright loss on Saturday to Seabrook.
First-year coach Liam McLaughlin said while it had been tough, the group would take something out of every game.
“We are a very young side and we lack the experience at the moment in those situations,” he said.
“We still need to learn to play and fight through those moments. We’re younger this year than we were last season.
“We want to push those young guys through and we’ve also been unlucky with a lot of unavailability for the start of the season which does not help.
“We’re doing what we can at the moment and we will take things out of each game.”
McLaughlin said even the little things would help them get better even from the tough losses and they would take those lessons forward.
He said the side would get better as the season progresses.
Speaking before day two of the match against Seabrook, McLaughlin said he wanted to see some fight from the group and tough it out.
He wanted them to bat deep into the day and make Seabrook fight hard for an outright win.
The Vales had been bowled out for 75 on day one, with Seabrook having already taken a first innings lead.
Seabrook declared at 9-184 with a first innings lead of 109. Nathan Griffiths took four wickets for the Vales.
McLaughlin’s wish to bat throughout the second day didn’t come to fruition with the side bowled out for 95, giving Seabrook the outright win.
Griffiths played a lone hand with the bat making 55 at the top of the order. McLaughlin was the only other player to score double figures, scoring 16.
The Vales this week face Donnybrook in another two-dayer.
In the Evans-Clark Shield, Bellbridge got the win against Melton South.
Resuming at 5-37 in reply to 169, Bellbridge had a steady day two with the bat to hit the winning runs in the 42 over.
Bellbridge finished 7-172.
Point Cook Centrals lost their first loss of the season, falling short against Gellibrand.
The Sharks resumed at 1-33 in reply to 207. They were bowled out for 156.
In the Roy Picone Shield, Point Cook and Werribee Centrals both had losses.
Hoping for their first win of the season the Centurions resumed at 1-39 chasing Glenroy’s 223.
The Centurions were bowled out for 141 with Shaun Jennings top scoring with 38.
Point Cook resumed in the tough position of 6-45 in reply to Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s 187.
Point Cook was soon bowled out for 85.
Harvinder Singh top scored with 20
The Lions were 8-103 in their second innings when the match ended. Singh and Vishay Ramchander had four wickets each.
