DDCA Turf 1: Buckley Ridges centurion Josh Holden speaks on his side’s enormous chase over rival Springvale South
Buckley Ridges centurion Josh Holden believes Saturday’s win over rival Springvale South will give his side confidence if the two sides meet again later this season.
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Buckley Ridges’ opener Josh Holden says his side’s terrific win over Springvale South might put a “bit of doubt” in the Bloods’ minds if they meet again later this season.
Buckley Ridges and Springvale South has played in the past two Dandenong District Turf 1 grand finals, with the Bloods winning both encounters.
Holden, who played a crucial hand in the Bucks’ successful chase of 361 with 100 from 133 balls, said his team showed they could “win from anywhere”.
“We’ve lost two grand finals to them now so it’s a big positive and a big boost for the boys to work on,” he said.
“We get a bit of confidence into our game after losing to Narre South and then bouncing back.
“Setting it up for something for them to think about, I know they didn’t have (Blade) Baxter and (Jackson) Sketcher but it’s a good little victory.
“To chase down 360 it kind of puts a bit of doubt in their mind that they might have to bat a bit better, not lose clumps of wickets like they did.
“I think finals against them is always big, always tough, but I think it will put in the back of their mind that we can win from anywhere with the group we’ve got.”
While Holden’s clobbering century was his first innings back in Turf 1 after spending majority of the year in the twos, he said he left the field disappointed.
“I haven’t had a lot of expectation on myself this year, I just wanted to go out and enjoy my cricket again,” he said.
“To go out there and get 100, it gives you a lot of confidence to know you can still play at that level.
“Credit to a few blokes that made me realise that; Manjula (Munasinghe), Richie Hope in the twos, who has kind of given me a bit of advice on how to back my own game a bit.
“It was a big confidence booster to play against the best team in the comp and get a hundred.
“At the same time, I was disappointed when I got out because I felt like I didn’t do my job, I got out 10 minutes before tea, I was annoyed with that.
“I wanted to get through to that milestone, that would’ve ticked another box and I felt like there were more runs out there for not only myself but Benny Wright too.”
Jake Cronin (66), Wright (57) and Roshane Silva (77) also passed 50 in the Bucks’ mammoth chase.
Buckley Ridges passed Springvale South’s 9-361 in the 75th over just four wickets down.
Elsewhere in Turf 1, Jake Hancock delivered another sensational knock as Berwick fell agonisingly short of Narre South’s total.
Hancock made 135 not out from 213 deliveries but the Bears finished six runs shy of victory.
Toby and Jarryd Wills contributed with half centuries, recording 62 and 66 respectively.
St Mary’s, meanwhile, notched its first win of the season, chasing Beaconsfield’s 3-273.
Saints captain Susantha Hewage struck an unbeaten 82 to steer his side to a three-wicket win in the 78th over.
The win doesn’t quite propel the Saints off the bottom of the ladder but gives them a chance to stay in the competition with a strong finish to the season.
Hallam Kalora Park chased down North Dandenong’s small total and finished early, opting against sending the Maroons back in.
Hawks opener Ciaron Connolly led the way in the chase but was dismissed four runs short of a tremendous ton.
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