ECA 2020-21: East Doncaster rolls Canterbury for 32 in Dunstan Shield
East Doncaster’s Rob Sayer and Matt Vaiano combined to destroy Canterbury at Zerbes Reserve.
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It was all over in 30 overs.
Eastern Cricket Association premiership fancy East Doncaster made light work of Canterbury at Zerbes Reserve on Saturday on the back of a supreme bowling display.
After being sent in, the Berries mustered a meagre 32 from 20 overs in the Dunstan Shield clash.
The in-form and multi-skilled Rob Sayer, who is capable of sending down high-quality pace and spin, returned 6-16 from his eight overs to dismantle the visitors.
Skipper Matt Vaiano claimed 3-9 from eight probing overs, while Kyle Hoath chipped in with 1-3.
The home side then raced to 0-36 to complete a 10-wicket victory which left it two games clear on top of the ladder.
“Only three of the dismissals were caught, so I think we bowled a really, really good line and length and things just went our way,” Vaiano said.
“The lbws were out, we had some genuine snicks carry to hand and then you bowl a few.
“I think it was just one of those days where it went in our favour. They kind of have to when you go through a side like that.
“We didn’t really bowl a bad ball, but it wasn’t like we were bowling exceptionally good balls. Everything went our way.”
Sayer’s haul took his season tally to 21 wickets at 9.52 apiece, leaving him five wickets clear at the top of the competition’s wicket-takers list.
Rated among the ECA’s best slow bowlers, the star all-rounder had added the ability to send down dangerous pace deliveries to his repertoire.
Sayer takes the new ball before turning to spin through the middle overs.
“He’s a quality player with spin, but he randomly started bowling pace in the nets when we needed someone,” Vaiano said.
“It kind of worked out for us. He’s a quality, quality bowler, a serious talent and quite handy to have.
“A lot of quick bowlers at the moment bowl a bit of outswing on a good length.
“But Rob at the moment just angles it into you … and gets the odd one to deck away. It’s just a point of difference.”
Gun opening pair Matt Bremner (18 not out) and Peter Dickson (15 not out) boosted their averages as their team claimed its seventh win of the summer.
East Doncaster finished 15 points clear on top of the table last season but was outclassed by eventual premier North Balwyn in the semi-finals.
Vaiano said he was impressed with his side’s efforts so far in 2020-21.
“We’ve chopped and changed the side a little bit, just through injuries and people being away,” he said.
“But I think it’s a testament to our depth that players can come in and play a role.
“I’m really, really proud of the boys. When it’s their time to do something, they put their hand up and say they’ll do it for the team.”
Elsewhere, Julian Black snared incredible figures of 6-6 as Marcellin OC (2-33) scored a crushing eight-wicket win over Surrey Hills (31).
North Balwyn (5-185) knocked off Old Carey (6-183), with star recruit Elliot Brandon-Jones contributing 62.
Mont Albert (9-119) squeezed past Heathmont (111), with Andrew Padbury collecting 5-14.
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