DDCA: Dandenong West made a sparkling return to Turf 1 with a winning chase over Berwick
Dandenong West captain Riley Siwes says the Bulls’ first Dandenong District Turf 1 win in almost six years was proof of what it can achieve this summer.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Dandenong West captain Riley Siwes charged for the whiteboard with 10 runs left in the Bulls’ chase on Saturday.
The reigning Dandenong District Turf 2 premiers were just balls away from clinching their first Turf 1 victory in over 2000 days.
Siwes wanted the word “believe” to be the first thing unbeaten batters Bailey Howarth (12) and Malinga Bandara (8) saw when they walked into the rooms.
Siwes, who was 16 at the time of the club’s last Turf 1 win, felt it was a “bit of an unknown” jumping into the top flight this year.
But he wanted Saturday’s convincing win over Berwick to be proof of what it can achieve in 2024-25.
“I went into the rooms when we needed 10 runs to win and wrote ‘believe’ on our whiteboard,” Siwes said.
“It’s going to be our motto for the rest of the season, no matter who we come up against, we know our best is good enough to beat anyone.
“We just have to roll that confidence into next week and any week that’s coming forward.
“The boys were a bit of an unknown coming in but we think we’ve got the right list, to see it come out in round 1 is exciting but we’ll take the six points and move on.”
The Bulls restricted Berwick to 9-201 after dismissing star Bears Jake Hancock (4), Michael Wallace (10) and Jordan Cleland (0) without damage.
Siwes said it was a “super important” start for the Bulls, who will look to build off the attacking approach with the ball.
“We definitely aren’t going to shy away from the contest, we went in and set our goals early, set attacking fields,” he said.
“They got off to a good start but the boys remained up and about in the field and backed me in, to keep them to 201 after being 0-60 was a great effort.
“We wanted to take a bit of pace off the ball with the field out and it worked.
“We were able to sneak one through Jakey Hancock, luckily Wallace chopped on and from there it was maintaining it and bowling to the fields.”
The Bulls ran down the Bears’ total inside 43 overs with five wickets in hand.
Opener Shaun Weir struck 62 from 64 balls while Siwes himself scored 48.
Siwes walked out to bat with the game in the balance at 2-48 but was confident the Bulls would finish the job.
“I was quite happy with the start,” he said.
“They got a wicket with the first over and to Venuk’s (Hemachandra, 18) credit he took the step to bat at three in Turf 1.
“With Wuz (Weir) at the other end I sort of set myself the task of staying in knowing I have 10 power hitters in the side.
“I was quite comfortable with Wuz at the crease and was kind of confident.”
The Bulls travel to Alex Nelson Reserve next week to take on Springvale South.
Elsewhere in Turf 1, Springvale South mowed down North Dandenong’s 134 in 17.5 overs.
Jordan Wyatt blasted 42 from 29 balls while Mitch Forsyth slayed an unbeaten 62 from 47 deliveries.
Buckley Ridges clawed over Hallam Kalora Park by three wickets.
The Bucks were 7-175 in pursuit of 185 but managed to hold their composure in the dying stages of the match.
Hawks Leigh Booth (69no) and Austin Fardell (63) were the only batters to pass 50 at Hallam Recreation Reserve.
Beaconsfield claimed an important win over Narre South, defeating the Lions by 73 runs.
The Tigers had eight batters reach double figures but only Abaseen Taniwal (51) passed 50.
Latest Eastern league coaching moves
The coaching appointments continue to flood in. Keep up with all the latest moves here ...
‘Hard work’ the only way, new Kilsyth coach declares
A first-week finals exit this season followed a grand final loss in 2023 – and the recipe for success from new Kilsyth coach is clear. Meanwhile, there’s been some key signings.