Luck was on Seabrook’s side in an improbable draw with Sunshine YCW in Turf cricket’s west B1 division on Saturday.
The Saints had no right to scoop up three points after its dismal showing in a desperately one-sided contest at Bruce Comben Reserve.
The hosts were bowled out for a meagre 98 on day one the previous weekend before YCW sauntered to 0-97 by the close – only two runs short of victory.
But, as luck would have it, mid-week rain disrupted matches across the city area, leaving turf grounds unplayable and a competition-wide abandonment of the second day’s play was issued.
A collective sigh of relief could be heard in the Saints camp as they stole a share of the points.
“We got very lucky to be honest,” Saints captain-coach Leigh Edwards told Star Weekly.
Seabrook was dismayed by its performance on day one.
The Saints were in a strong position on at 2-70 before a dramatic batting collapse.
Edwards (40) and Anthony Hodgart (25) set the platform for a big total but it went to waste.
“Our middle order came in and played some ridiculous shots,” Edwards said.
“We really threw it away.
“We got 250 the week before and we were coming in off a high, so I think the middle order just expected it to happen again and didn’t really do the hard work through the middle overs.”
There was nothing to write home about with the bowling performance, either.
The Saints gave up fast runs and a first-innings loss seemed a likely outcome.
“We were a bit worried at one stage that they were going to get the runs and put us back in on the first day,” Edwards said.
But the dying overs of the day saw the Saints produce some fight, which enabled them to preserve a first-innings lead at stumps.
That lead, no matter how small, was enough for the Saints to bank three precious points.
“I said to the boys with a few overs to go that we’ve got to try to keep ourselves in the game,” Edwards said.
“Three points if it washes out is better than zero.
“The boys stood up in the field after being demoralised all day and were able to get something out of the game at least.”
Hitesh Bavarva’s superb last over, a maiden, denied YCW an instant kill.
While Bavarva executed the bowling plan, Edwards was surprised by the tactics used by opposition batsmen.
“I just told Hitesh to put six balls on the top of off stump and he did it,” Edwards said.
“This bloke [from YCW] was just batting for himself. He blocked out a maiden and wasn’t even looking for a run.
“We got very lucky.”
Seabrook, sitting sixth on the ladder, will face neighbours Point Cook, who are one stop above them, away at Saltwater Reserve in a two-day game starting on Saturday.
The Saints have labelled it a “double point game” given their close positions on the ladder.
“It’s a must-win game,” Edwards said.
“They’re going to be around the three, four or five mark for the finals, fighting for top four position and I think that’s where we are as well.”
