DDCA: Narre South coach Matt Brooks says a hungrier approach can alter the rest of the Lions’ season

A small change might be all it takes for Narre South to shake up the DDCA Turf 1 top four according to its coach. Here’s what he said.

Narre South captain Kyle Hardy is one of the match winner’s Brooks is talking about. Picture: Valeriu Campan.

Narre South coach Matt Brooks says his batters will need to “be hungry” if they are to make an impact on the final five rounds of the Dandenong District Turf 1 season.

The Lions’ one-wicket, final-ball win over Beaconsfield on Saturday propels them not only further in advance of St Mary’s in last but just six points adrift of the top four.

Brooks feels the ladder doesn’t reflect how his group has played and thinks a return to red-ball cricket, as well as a more ruthless approach from his batters, could go a long way to a strong finish to the season.

“We haven’t had any standout players this year, which in one-day cricket you need players getting 60 and above, going on with it,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of blokes getting out in the 30s and 40s.

“It’s more probably a question to the individuals and I know our batters are frustrated but they’re all actually seeing the ball quite well, so I think it will change.

“I think the two-day format suits our batters more but it’s something that when they get in, they need to be hungry, not get out and be the match winner.”

Narre South captain Kyle Hardy is one of the match winner’s Brooks is talking about. Picture: Valeriu Campan

After being on the wrong side of some close ones this year, Brooks saw a shift in the rooms post game when one finally went their way.

“It sort of showed in their faces after the game on Saturday, the relief and whatnot,” he said.

“It had been a tough period before Christmas for them, you could see the relief and their shoulders drop a little bit.

“I think this could be good for us to kickstart our year again, I think we’re six points out, if we can string a few games together and beat those sides around us, we will give ourselves a chance.”

Ishan Jayarathna was pivotal for Buckley Ridges on Saturday. Pictures: Valeriu Campan

Blade Baxter and his Bloods are going to be hard to stop this season.

Elsewhere, Buckley Ridges closed its gap on the top two with a win over third-placed North Dandenong.

The Bucks chased down the Maroons’ 10-203 with five wickets and four overs in hand.

Ishan Jayarathna’s 72 and Troy Aust’s 52 not out were crucial in getting the win.

Berwick escaped with a tight win over St Mary’s, edging out the Saints by three wickets.

The Saints set the Bears 193 for victory and had the hosts 6-165 in reply before Mitchell Shirt (61) and captain Jarrod Goodes (12no) secured victory.

Springvale South’s stranglehold on the competition grew stronger with a commanding win over Hallam Kalora Park.

The Bloods dismissed the visitors for just 80 before reeling in the target in just 12.3 overs.

Usual suspects Blade Baxter (4-15 off 7.3 overs) and Jarryd Straker (2-13 off 10) were the pick of the bowlers before stand-in skipper Jordan Wyatt made light work of the chase, plundering an unbeaten 68 from 43 balls to ice the game.