By Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing responded exactly how the doctor had ordered in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west.
Coming off their second loss of the season, the Cats were back in action on Saturday against second bottom side Moorabbin in a one-dayer.
It was a comprehensive performance with both bat and ball in the win for the Cats.
Cats captain-coach Simon Lambert said it was much needed after a disappointing performance the week before.
“We won our T20 the other night and we had confidence going into yesterday [Saturday],” he said.
“The guys needed to win, with the competition being tight and not much can go wrong. Hopefully we can carry it into next week.”
Lambert said they were happy to keep Moorabbin to anything under 160 after it decided to bat first.
He got their wish as they bowled Moorabbin out for 108 in the 42nd over. Harshit Takkar took four wickets.
“Last week we only made 120 and it took them 42 overs to knock it off and dropped a number of catches,” he said.
“We are bowling well and we were able to take a few more catches.”
The most pleasing thing for Lambert was getting the runs for the loss of just one wicket.
The Cats needed just 21.5 overs as they finished 1-109.
Lambert top scored with 57 not out, while Shijit Chandran Poovathingal finished 40 not out.
“The top order found a few runs,” Lambert said. “It’s been good as it’s been a few weeks.
“Hopefully that will continue and a few others start stepping up for the rest of the games.”
With other results going their way, the Cats sit in fourth spot, three points off top.
The Cats will be without Daryl Sunder Ferrario for the rest of the season in a big loss for the side.
Alongside Lambert, they have been the two stars with the bat.
“He had a three month visa,” Lambert said. “He had to go back to India.
“He has been a big player for us. Other players will have to step up and fill the hole that he has left.
“We have more than enough players that can fill that hole.”
Hoppers Crossing is away in the next round in a two-dayer against Taylors Lakes.
Meanwhile, Werribee made it two in a row with victory against Taylors Lakes, which has now lost three games in a row.
The Tigers bowled first and were able to restrict the Lions to just 127.
Tim O’Brien took three wickets, while Stephen Plumridge, Mitchell Cullen and Jackson Hopper took two wickets each.
The Tigers needed just 26.3 overs to get the runs, finishing 3-128.Matthew Burton made 43.
Werribee now sits 10th on the ladder.
Both Hoppers Crossing and Werribee were in action on Tuesday night, after deadline, in the T20 finals.
