Luck finally went the way of Wyndham Vale as it got its first win of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield on Saturday.
Both the Vales and Melton Centrals entered Saturday’s match searching for their first win of the season.
It was the Vales that were able to control most of the match and were able to come out on top.
Vales’ president Jay Dolliver said it was a really good feeling for the group.
“It was very nice, it’s been a long time,” he said.
“We’ve been in a few games and then had a flat patch and not been able to get the result on the board.
“It was nice to get the result. We had a club function last night [Saturday] night and there were a lot of people around.
“Having all three teams win helps.”
Dolliver said they didn’t look at Melton’s record heading into the game and were focused on what they could do.
He said if they did the small things right they would get the win on the board.
“We wanted to make sure that we did the one percenters,” he said. “We did the basics properly and we were able to put it on the board.”
After being sent in, the Vales made 3-246 from their overs.
Captain Liam McLaughlin top scored with 86 not out off 61 balls while Joel Roze and Michael Fry also scored half centuries.
“It’s a pretty big total,” he said. “Earlier in the season we made 257 and the match got washed out and we didn’t get win that we were hoping that we would get.
“It was nice to get the runs and bat out the overs.”
The Vales bowlers then got on top early and had Centrals in trouble at 5-25.
Centrals then fought back.
“They had a couple of good partnerships which helped them,” Dolliver said. “They were then 6-120 odd and at the time doing well.
“We’ve had periods where we have teams five or six down and then go really flat. We did that yesterday [Saturday].
“But we bowled them out and were able to finish off the game with a decent win.”
Jacob Carter finished with four wickets for the Vales.
With one win on the board, Dolliver and Vales are hoping to make it a couple more before the season is out.
“We would like to finish off with a couple more wins,” he said.
“The focus is on the basics and getting it right for the whole game.
“We have been in a few games and been close to winning. Hopefully we do the basics right and finish with a couple of wins.”
In other matches, Point Cook had a big win against Pascoe Vale Hadfield in the Roy Picone Shield, while Point Cook Centrals lost the top of the table clash with Caroline Springs.
In the Clark Shield, Werribee Centrals and Bellbridge both suffered losses.
