VSDCA Cricket 2018-19: Yarraville cruises to six-wicket win over Taylors Lakes

Yarraville’s push for a top-six berth is gathering momentum as the VSDCA club chases a fourth finals appearance in five seasons.

Aidan Salvado was again impressive at the top of the order for Yarraville. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Yarraville’s push for a top-six berth is gathering momentum as the VSDCA club chases a fourth finals appearance in five seasons.

The Eagles cruised to a six-wicket victory over Taylors Lakes at Yarraville Oval on Saturday, leaving them in seventh position on the South-West group ladder with three rounds remaining.

A crucial 80-run stand between the experienced Matthew Harrison (59 not out) and Josh Turner (49) proved decisive in the successful run chase, but coach Matthew Grose was keen to point to the contributions of openers Aidan Salvado (47) and Josh Hahnel (14), praising them for “batting the best part of two hours”.

“Although we didn’t have a huge amount of runs on the board at that stage, I think they set the platform and did the hard work to take the sting out of the new ball,” Grose said of the opening pair.

“Harro and JT Could then come in and enjoy the conditions on a really good batting wicket and face their fourth and fifth bowlers as well.

“Harro and JT batted really well together, didn’t take too many risks and batted with a team-first approach.”

Josh Hahnel gets on the front foot for Yarraville. Picture: Mark Dadswell

In pursuit of Taylors Lakes’ day one total of 191, Yarraville reached 4-193 from 73.2 overs to take a vital six points.

Teenager Salvado is a top prospect, posting three scores of 40 or more among 203 runs at 25.4 for the season.

“He’s just getting himself into positions every week at the top of the order where he can really dominate a game and put a big score on the board,” Grose said.

“He’s doing all the hard work and he’s facing the best bowlers in the comp every week. For a 15-year-old kid to open the batting and bat long periods of time just shows the mental toughness he’s got at the moment and the skills he’s got.

“He’s not looked troubled by anybody that he’s faced. I think as he builds in confidence and gets hungrier and hungrier for that big score, he’ll get a score before the season’s out, that’s for sure.”

Yarraville is locked in a five-way battle with Melton, Ormond, Elsternwick and Brighton for the last position in the top six.

It will meet Melton, Ormond and Elsternwick in the run home.

“The team’s just got a good feel about it now,” first-year coach Grose said.

“The energy around the team, I think we’re starting to jell a bit more. We’re still confident we can play finals and we’re treating every game like it’s a 10-point game now.”