ECA 2020-21: North Balwyn chasing back-to-back premierships

While East Doncaster has established itself as the team to beat, reigning premier North Balwyn has plenty of reasons for optimism.

North Balwyn skipper Nitesh Patel. Picture: Stuart Milligan

North Balwyn came from fourth position to claim a remarkable Eastern Cricket Association flag last season.

The Dunstan Shield outfit toppled minor premier East Doncaster (who had won six more games during the home-and-away rounds) in the semi-finals before knocking off Canterbury in the decider.

With four rounds remaining in the 2020-21 regular season, little has changed.

East Doncaster is sitting pretty in top position with a 9-1 win-loss record, three games clear of second-ranked Mont Albert and the third-placed Bulls.

While acknowledging the ladder-leader was “by far the standout side”, North Balwyn skipper Nitesh Patel only has to look to last summer for inspiration.

“Last year was a perfect example. You get to finals, put in a good performance and you can knock the best team over,” Patel said.

“They (East Doncaster) are almost expected to win it this year, so there’s a bit of pressure on them to finish it off in the finals.

“That pressure can often tell, so we’ll see what happens.”

North Balwyn celebrates its ECA Dunstan Shield premiership in 2019-20. Picture: Supplied

Patel said the Bulls were targeting second spot and a home final as they chase back-to-back premierships.

North Balwyn will face Surrey Hills (eighth), Heathmont (seventh), Mont Albert (second) and Canterbury (fifth) in the run home and will start a warm favourite in three of those matches.

But in a warning to opposition sides, Patel said his team was yet to produce its best with the bat this season.

The captain is the competition’s second most prolific batsman with 283 runs at 31.44, while star recruit Elliot Brandon-Jones (182 runs), Jamie Shepherd (174) and James Binney (152) are the only others with more than 150 runs to their names.

“I don’t think our batting line-up has really fired yet this season, and we’re a long way into the season, but we’re still winning games,” Patel said.

“I think that’s the most positive thing – we’re not really close to 100 per cent (and winning).

“We’re looking to get closer and closer to that over the next few weeks and just peak for finals.

“Plenty more to come, that’s for sure.”

The Bulls made light work of Marcellin OC on Saturday to notch its third win from the past four games.

The visitors posted 7-198 after winning the toss, led by Max Tomkinson’s 58 and Patel’s unbeaten 41.

Marcellin mustered just 117 in reply, with Xavier Bateman grabbing 3-23 and James O’Connell 3-29.

“I think 198 was way above par, but we had a really strong bowling line up. We had six front-liners and a couple of others who could have bowled,” Patel said.

“It was always going to be a tough ask for them chasing 200 against our attack.”

Elsewhere in Round 10, East Doncaster (9-155) won a tense clash with Heathmont (154), while Canterbury (4-133) swept aside Mont Albert (132).

Old Carey (7-182) was too strong for Surrey Hills (108).