By Tara Murray
Point Cook Centrals won the battle of Point Cook in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield on the weekend.
Having always been in different divisions before this season, the two Point Cook teams have only ever faced each other in a T20 match.
On the weekend that changed, with Point Cook Centrals hosting Point Cook in a two-day match.
Sharks Brett Talbot said it was nice to get the win against the Warriors.
“We hadn’t played each other at this level,” he said. “It’s exciting playing a local team but you treat it like a normal game.
“A few of us have played for Point Cook a number of years ago.”
The Sharks won the toss and decided to bat.
After a slow start the Warriors managed to finish day one at 9-180.
Talbot said they would have liked to have kept them to a bit less.
“It was a few more than we would have liked,” he said. “We had then 6-60 off at one stage.
“They had some good partnerships and they’ve got some good players. As you go up the grades you find teams have better batters and bowlers and can hurt you if you take your foot off the pedal.”
Ashen Perera took four wickets for the Sharks, while Wade Kirkwood and Krishan Alang took two wickets each.
For the Warriors, Kade Clowes top scored with 69 at the top of the order.
Talbot said they were able to execute the run chase perfectly on Sunday.
“We worked out that we needed to get two and a bit runs per over,” he said. “We were able to set the innings up and partnerships were crucial for us.
“By having wickets in hand we were able to foot down a little bit.”
Alang top scored with 69 for the Sharks.
Skipper Owen Doolan also played a handy role despite making just three.
“His role was to see off their number one bowler Max Rouvray and he did an excellent job of that and was able to ease the pressure,” Talbot said.
It was all single wicket takers for the Warriors.
The win moves the Sharks into the top four after six rounds, while the Warriors are a game outside the top four.
Talbot said it had been highlighted that the three teams that were promoted from division 4 last season are all in the top four.
“It really shows how strong division 4 was,” he said.
The Sharks face Keilor Park the next two weekends in the final game before Christmas. The Devils are just percentage behind them.
The Warriors face East Keilor.
Meanwhile the Sharks women lost to Melton in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield 2 division on Saturday.
Melton made 8-170 from its overs, with the Sharks bowled out for 132 in reply.
After 11 rounds the Sharks sit in sixth spot.
