Tara Murray
Things are starting to click for Point Cook in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 competition.
With a number of new players and some young players coming through, Point Cook knew it was going to take a bit of time under new coach Carmine Conte.
Conte said they were happy with how things were going so far.
“We’re going alright,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of younger players coming through from our juniors and are now playing senior cricket.
“They’re all improving and getting guidance from the imports. We’ve got younger players going well and it’s flowing through all the grades.”
On Saturday, Point Cook’s first XI easily accounted for the Williamstown Imperials.
Point Cook made 8-207 from its 40 overs with captain Darcy Harmer top scoring with 63.
The Imperials were bowled out for 112 in the 26th over.
Max Rouvray took 5-25 in eight overs.
Conte said it was a strong all round performance.
“We dominated for the whole match,” he said. “We batted really well and bowled really well and the result looked after itself.”
Conte said there had been a number of contributions across the board this season.
“Our captain Darcy is improving his captaincy and he’s a young leader. He had a nice score on the weekend.
“David Hicks is vice-captain and getting better.
“Max is playing the best cricket of his career and is really stepping up. He’s taken two bags of five wickets in four games.
Dasith [Jayatilake] has come back and is opening the batting and made 50 on the weekend.”
The win has moved Point Cook into the top four ahead of a double header this weekend.
The club’s second, third and fourth XIs are all undefeated, but played limited matches due to the weather.
Conte said there was a great vibe around the club.
“We’re winning a few games and playing a few more games, so the guys are more motivated.
“We play the top side Caroline Springs and hopefully we’ll make a good account of ourselves and then we play Sunshine Heights who we have a little bit of rivalry with.”
In other division 3 matches, Werribee Centrals lost to East Keilor.
East Keilor made 5-190 from its 40 overs.
Moiz Ahmed and Harsh Gupta took two wickets each for Werribee Centrals.
Centrals got off to a solid start but lost two quick wickets to slip to 2-35. Centrals continued to lose wickets in clumps which proved costly.
Centrals were eventually bowled out for 109 in the 31st over.
Shaun Jennings top scored with 22 as no batsman went on with it.
In division 4, Bellbridge was easily beaten by Maribyrnong Park St Marys. Bellbridge was bowled out for 84 in reply to 6-203.
In division 5, Wyndhamvale was skittled by East Coburg. Wyndhamvale was bowled out for just 65, which East Coburg reached four wickets down.
Sanctuary Lakes total of 161 was enough, bowling Seabrook out for 106.
