DVCA 2020-21: Epping a danger for Barclay Shield finals contenders

Epping has had a season to forget after back-to-back finals appearances, but the DVCA Barclay Shield club showed on Saturday why it should not be taken lightly.

Tom Emmins played an important knock for Epping on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Epping entered the Diamond Valley Cricket Association season emboldened by back-to-back finals appearances.

But the Pingers have failed to replicate that form in a season of one-day fixtures, putting them in danger of relegation from Barclay Shield.

Coach Jeff Hughes insisted his club had not considered the dreaded drop despite a 3-7 win-loss record, pointing to its percentage advantage over ninth-ranked Plenty (3-7) and bottom-placed Lower Eltham (2-8).

“We haven’t really thought about relegation,” Hughes said.

“We know we’re better than the results we’ve been getting and it’s just a matter of time until it’s going to click.

“We’ve just got too many good players in our side to even think about relegation.

“Apart from one game, I’d say we’ve been in every game.

“We’re looking at winning our next four games.”

Shaun Barker goes on the attack for Epping. Picture: Andy Brownbill

While it is all but out of the top-four race, Epping claimed an important victory over finals contender Banyule on Saturday.

The Pingers claimed their biggest scalp of the season by 36 runs in an impressive display.

“It’s just been one of those years. We thought the shorter format of the game would have suited us, but it sort of hasn’t,” Hughes said.

“We’ve been a bit unlucky – beaten on the last ball once and the second-last ball another time.

“But the boys have kept on battling away and training hard, and they got the result (on Saturday).”

Banyule’s Jeff Wilson spills a chance. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Nathan Gardiner (59) posted his fourth half-century of the summer to boost his tally to 325 runs at 32.5 as the visitors put up 5-173 after losing the toss.

“Nathan’s been really good and held us together,” Hughes said.

“He’s changed the way he plays. He’s normally a very attacking player, but he’s been doing that role where he does attack when he wants to, but if we lose a couple of wickets he backs back a little bit to make sure we don’t lose that next wicket.”

Banyule celebrates a wicket. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Wicketkeeper Tom Emmins also contributed an important 32 not out from 40 deliveries.

The Pingers then restricted Banyule to 7-137, with their opening bowlers strangling the home team.

Ethan Kunelius (1-10 from eight) and John Lever (1-19 from eight) sent down the first 16 overs of the innings, combining for a frugal 2-29.

Skipper Josh Henkel then destroyed the middle-order as he helped himself to 4-41 from eight overs, including the key scalp of Brent O’Connor Snr (49).

“He’s come along in leaps and bounds, Ethan. He’s taking the first ball now and he just bowls in that (good) spot and it gives Josh a field to bowl to,” Hughes said.

Elsewhere on Saturday, runaway ladder-leader North Eltham Wanderers (6-213) hammered Plenty (149), while Riverside (6-227) was too strong for Heidelberg (182).

Macleod (2-104) cruised to victory over Rosanna (103) and Diamond Creek (7-195) toppled Lower Eltham (6-182).