VTCA 2018-19: Justin Baker, Andrew Cullen score centuries for Yarraville Club
Two of Yarraville Club’s most decorated players put Keilor’s bowling attack to the sword in VTCA Senior Division on Saturday.
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YARRAVILLE Club was never going to be down for too long.
After an uncharacteristic 0-2 start to the VTCA Senior Division season, the reigning premier posted an imposing 5-364 against Keilor on Saturday on the back of centuries from coach Justin Baker and captain Andrew Cullen.
The pair came together at 3-98 and combined for a 189-run stand, with Baker making 122 and Cullen 100.
After losing to promoted St Albans and being rolled for a paltry 58 by title rival Spotswood, the Clubbers desperately needed a response.
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“It probably put a rocket up the boys and it’s probably good it happened so early in the season,” Cullen said.
“The main thing we spoke about after the Spotty game and during the week was just mental application. We’ve had a history of making good scores and there’s a lot of talent in our team, it’s just that we weren’t applying ourselves mentally for those long periods of time.
“With me and Justin, we just set ourselves little goals along the way, whether it be five-over blocks, 10-run blocks, team milestones or whatever it was.
“Leading from the front with the captain and coach putting on a 190-run stand sends a good message to the rest of the boys that when you apply yourself, these are the sorts of results we can achieve.”
Baker and Cullen hit 26 boundaries and three sixes between them, while Konrad Kurta (53) and Joseph Blake (35 not out) also helped boost the total.
But with a lightning fast outfield at Joe Brown Reserve, Yarraville Club is acutely aware it will have to bowl well on day two.
“It’s a pretty daunting score to look at, but there’s still a lot of work to be done with the ball,” Cullen said. “We know that one or two balls an over you can hit a boundary if you’re not on for those six balls.”
Seddon’s Damith Priyadarshana hit 186 as his team posted 8-348 against St Albans.
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