VSDCA: Port Melbourne gives 300 a shake as it thrashes Taylors Lakes

Before the season a lot of Subbies watchers wondered if Port Melbourne would win a game. But Port is more than holding its own.

The Port Melbourne players sing the song after defeating Taylors Lakes.

It was said often before the season: Port Melbourne will be lucky to win a game.

The club was returning to Sub-District cricket after a 19-year absence, but it was doing so from the third tier of Cricket Southern Bayside.

There were doubts about its ability to compete in the competition it helped establish in 1908.

But Port is more than holding its own.

After some worthy performances, it gained its first win in the round before Christmas, running down Yarraville’s 7-250.

And on Saturday Port Melbourne grabbed its second victory in the south-west section, thrashing Taylors Lakes at North Port Oval.

Sent in, the Borough spanked a formidable 7-291, with Paul Tucker (57), Adnan Khawaja (56) and captain Ryan McDonald (56) hitting half-centuries and Carlton recruit Jonathan Crowe clipping 49.

Mack Burdett gave the innings a rousing finish by cracking 25 off 14 balls, with 2 sixes.

The Lakers replied with 9-169 off their 45 overs.

McDonald made himself man of the match by taking 4-13 off nine overs with his accurate left-arm spin.

He’s having a terrific season for the Borough: he’s up to 252 runs at 42 and nine wickets at 23.6.

Port president Chris Sewell acknowledged the knocks on the club ahead of the season.

“Yep, I heard it all,’’ he said.

“But we’ve surprised a lot of people. We’ve had clubs telling us how we’re going to push a lot of sides. We heard it from Ormond, from Werribee, from Caulfield.

“Taylors Lakes had us 1-0 yesterday and someone said, ‘This will all be over by 3.30pm’. And we ended up making made 297.’’

Sewell added: “There’s a great feel around the club. Everything that was said about us – that we won’t win a game in any grade, lucky we won’t be playing two-day games because outright points will be on offer every week – we’re using it as motivation. It’s posted up in the rooms and we see it every time we walk in.’’

Port had a debutant in Englishman Paul Wookey, who opened the bowling and returned 1-34.

Sewell said Wookey had been recruited to strengthen a bowling attack that lacked “a quality quick’’.

“He’s played Minor Counties cricket and he was a warm-up bowler for the World Cup in 2019,’’ he said.

Elsewhere, Caulfield suffered its first loss of the season after being fired out for 93 by Oakleigh at Warrawee Park.

It was a remarkable scorecard: the great Graeme Rummans was the only player who reached double figures for the Fielders, hitting 52 from 72 balls.

The Oaks reached their target five wickets down, guided to victory by No 3 Sam Jones, who was unbeaten on 40.

VSDCA newcomer Spotswood continued its outstanding start by seeing off Brighton at the Brighton Beach Oval.

Spotty dismissed the hosts for 134 and made the runs five wickets down.

Opening bowler Dan Schuppan captured 4-16 off eight overs, taking his season tally of wickets to 16.

The Malvern and Melton match featured an eventful first over.

The Roosters received it, it lasted 12 balls and came to 29 runs, including 22 wides.

Malvern finished with 3-207 and whipped out the visitors for 69.