Hoppers Crossing is playing its best cricket of the past couple of Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association seasons, it’s just a matter of getting on the field.
The Cats have been one of the teams left frustrated as rain has washed out matches, or meant others didn’t end in results in the east-west.
On Saturday, they were able to get out on the field against Mt Waverley after day one was washed out.
“It’s been frustrating the last couple of weeks,” captain-coach Simon Lambert said.
“We were on top against Noble Park and the rain came too soon and we made 350 against Bayswater but we couldn’t get the 10 wickets.
“They are two wins we could have had. We’re playing some good cricket.
“I think it’s the best cricket we’ve played since I’ve come to the club.
“It was good to get a whole game in.”
The Cats decided to have a bowl first.
They were able to bowl Mt Waverley out for 140 in the final over.
Lambert said there was something in the pitch early on and they were able to get some early wickets.
“They were behind the eight ball and not able to get back,” he said.
“We thought 200 was where that total needed to be to be competitive.”
Brett Smith took four wickets for the Cats, while Abbas Faiyaz took three.
Lambert and Bibek Virk then put the pressure on from ball one with the bat and didn’t let Mt Waverley back in.
The Cats hit the winning runs in the 23rd over, finishing 1-141.
Lambert was 71 not out.
Lambert said he and Virk had set an approach of taking it to the opposition from ball one and it was working.
“Bibek came in last season,” he said. “He is only 19 and the last two games he made 90 odd off 70 and 50 odd off 50.
“Yesterday [Saturday] he was going at a run a ball. He has been sensational.
“Most teams just nudge it around early on. We’ve turned it upside down and gone hammer and tong from ball one.”
Lambert said Jaimin Patel had also been strong in top four as well.
The Cats now face Melton in a T20 game, the final game before the Christmas break.
Lambert said they were excited to get back to the shortest format.
“It seems to suit us more the shorter the game,” he said. “We won the T20 competition last year and it favours the way we play.
“We’re aggressive. Hopefully we can get some momentum running into Christmas.”
Meanwhile, Werribee lost to Noble Park on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern.
Noble Park made 7-213 from its 45 overs.
Dean Russ and Tim O’Brien took two wickets each for the Tigers.
The game was reduced to 38 overs due to the weather, with the Tigers set 197 to win.
The Tigers were bowled out in the 35th over for 173.
Ryan Alifraco top scored with 58.
After seven matches, Hoppers Crossing sits fifth on the ladder and Werribee in ninth.
