VSDCA Cricket 2018-19: Preston piles on 6-367 against St Bernard’s
Daniel Franco and Eoghan Delany scored centuries for Preston as the VSDCA came close to achieving history on the opening day against St Bernard’s
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PRESTON came within 14 runs of making history on Saturday.
The VSDCA outfit blasted 6-367 against St Bernard’s, falling just short of an 80-year-old club record high score of 381 against Brighton.
The total sits in third spot on the all-time list and was set up by centuries from opener Daniel Franco (108) and skipper Eoghan Delany (101) after the Bullants were sent in to bat.
“If we’d won the toss we would’ve bowled as well,” Delany said.
“On reflection the track was probably not quick enough.
“But St Bernard’s would say they didn’t bowl that well and we took advantage of that.
“We kept wickets in hand and made sure we didn’t lose three or four in the first hour.”
The pair came together in about the 30th over, with the short boundary at Preston City Oval receiving special attention, as several short balls were dispatched to the fence.
Franco scored his century at close to a run a ball — his second for the Bullants after his first ton came almost two years ago.
“By his own admission he had a quiet season last year, with two half-centuries, and he probably didn’t make the valuable runs required as a senior batsman,” Delany said.
“This year he had a rough start, but the past few games he has scored a 70 and now a 100, so it’s good to see him taking on that extra responsibility.”
Delany’s superb form continued as he passed three figures for the second time this season to go with two half-centuries.
“Conditions were in our favour and I just decided to make hay while the sun shines,” he said.
“I kept the ball on the ground as much as possible after getting starts the last two innings, instead of trying to force good balls for runs.”
Chaminda Vidanapathirana (49) came close to a half-century, while Luke Bramich (33) and Matt Staples (28) also chipped in.
Preston’s attention now turns to next week, with Delany expecting his side’s bowling firepower to be enough to earn victory.
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