Harper Sercombe
Point Cook Centrals remain in the hunt for finals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 4 season, despite a disappointing loss on the weekend.
The Sharks played the second day of their match against Moonee Valley on Saturday and while they survived an out-right defeat, it was still a convincing loss.
In the first innings the Sharks were sent in to bat and could only manage 67 before they were bowled out. In reply Moonee Valley were dismissed for 162. The Sharks then had another bat, and lost 10 wickets for 167 runs, leaving Moonee Valley 72 runs for the win. However, this was too much with the time remaining in the game, with Moonee Valley finishing their innings and the match on 2-20 from four overs.
“On day one we just weren’t quite up for the challenge that we faced with Moonee Valley, they were a little bit better than us from the beginning,” captain Brett Talbot said.
“They just got on a roll, they got a lot of wickets and put our top order under pressure. To be rolled for under 70 in a game to come back from is very difficult. I thought our bowlers did an admirable job, we were just outplayed by a better team.”
The Sharks now sit in fifth position, just six points out of the top four, and with games to come Talbot said he remains positive in their finals hopes in their first season in division 4.
“We’re still in the hunt, we’re just a little bit inconsistent at the moment,” he said.
“We have good days and bad days and on our bad days we lose, so we need to have more good days.
“We need to focus really hard on training this week to try and prepare ourselves for Footscray next week who are a very good team and try to give ourselves the best opportunity we can moving forward. Winning is all that we are focusing on at the moment.”
Footscray Angliss sits just six points behind the Sharks, giving the two-day clash extra importance. The two teams were among four sides to be promoted this season.
“Both teams are in a similar position now, vying for a top four position,” Talbot said.
“It’s a game that both teams have to win, so I’m sure there will be plenty on the line.
“They’ve had the wood over us in the last couple of games so we have to step up to their quality and we’ll certainly be doing everything we can to prepare accordingly.”
