VSDCA 2018-19: Coburg claims commanding win over Box Hill

Coburg is eyeing a top-six spot in the VSDCA North-East group at Christmas after a commanding Round 5 victory over Box Hill.

Ryan Fort’s early wicket on day two put Coburg in command. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Burgers are building.

Coburg is eyeing a top-six spot in the VSDCA North-East group at Christmas after a commanding Round 5 victory over Box Hill.

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The Burgers have won two of their past three fixtures to climb to ninth on the ladder, only six points behind fifth-placed Plenty Valley.

The club’s 110-run win against the Mustangs was led by top-order batsman Will Rigg (85) and skipper Zac Thorne (4-46).

Thorne was full of praise for young Englishman Rigg, who has made 222 runs at 37 to Round 5 and compiled successive half-centuries.

“He’s just starting to hit his straps now,” Thorne said.

“He’s a big, strong lad and he likes to take the game on.

“Coming out at number three, he loves to get stuck into his innings and take the game back to the bowlers.”

Shane Lee (37), Darren Scott (26) and Stuart Rudge (21) produced valuable lower-order knocks as Coburg posted a formidable 242 on Saturday.

Shane Lee’s 37 helped Coburg move passed 200 on Saturday against Box Hill.

Ryan Fort (2-17) gave the Burgers a perfect start on Sunday when he skittled Tom Newman (0) second ball and Box Hill never threatened after being reduced to 4-40.

“It was good to control two days of red-ball cricket,” Thorne said.

“I am pretty impressed with how the boys went about it. We’re showing some pretty good progression most weeks.

“We just keep learning, building and gathering some more belief and confidence.”

Coburg takes on Endeavour Hills, Kew and Ivanhoe before Christmas as it strives to break into the top six.

“We are looking at the next couple of weeks as an opportunity to get a few in a row,” Thorne said.

“Then the real key clash against Kew who are obviously a benchmark of the competition and have got some great talent in the side.

“I know them pretty well obviously so there will be a fair bit in that game.”

Jordan Ashby (1-23), Rudge (1-28) and Scott (1-14) were other wicket-takers against the Mustangs.

Meanwhile, Brunswick sits eighth after a six-wicket loss against Plenty Valley.

The Wicks’ next face a crunch Round 6 fixture against undefeated Bayswater.

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