Greenvale Kangaroos on the board in 2020-21, knocking off Kingston Hawthorn
Greenvale Kangaroos’ young stars produced when it mattered to knock off Kingston Hawthorn and deliver the club’s first win of the Premier Cricket season.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Greenvale Kangaroos are on the board in Premier Cricket 2020-21.
The club’s six-match wait for its first victory of the season came to an end in emphatic fashion as it trashed Kingston Hawthorn by seven wickets on Saturday to pick up a bonus point.
The Kangaroos have shown flashes of potential this season and delivered their most consistent performance of the season at Walter Galt Reserve.
Fresh off a stunning upset win over St Kilda last week, the Hawks were brought back to earth with a thump, dismissed for 151, and Greenvale strolled home with 20 overs up its sleeve.
“It was a relief, very happy to get the first win on the board,” Kangaroos skipper Michael Stretton said.
“They’re quite a dangerous side, they’ve obviously got some good players and beating St Kilda is a big effort.
“It just shows how even the competition is, if you do the little things well you’re a chance most weeks.
“Hopefully it’s the first of a few wins for us for the year and we can get a roll on.”
Third-gamer Darcy Bell was the star with the ball, claiming 4-30.
It’s a remarkable rise for the young quick who was playing in the Third XI before Christmas.
“He was playing third grade not long before Christmas but he’s worked hard, we gave him a crack and we’re really happy with him,” Stretton said.
“He’s shown a bit of promise, got himself fit and in a good place. He bowls OK pace, hits the bat and keeps the batsman honest.”
Promisingly for Greenvale, spearhead Sean McNicholl went wicketless as five bowlers picked up at least one wicket.
“Being a new bowling attack it’s taken a few weeks to form those partnerships, which is critical,” Stretton said.
“The last few games we’ve done it for 30-35 overs and had 15-20 overs that weren’t our best and that’s let us down but yesterday we put it together for the full 43 overs to bowl them out.”
Josh Trembearth fell early in the chase but Haseeb Qureshi (56) and Nick Dixon (53) combined for a 91-run partnership to set up victory.
“They ran really well between the wickets – lots of singles, a few twos and just kept the scoreboard moving – which made it really hard for them to build pressure,” Stretton said.
PREMIER: PRAHRAN YOUNG GUN GOES BANG
LEADER: GET YOUR PREMIER CRICKET NEWS HERE
PREMIER: ANOTHER TON FOR DANDY CHAMPION FORSYTH
“Nick’s come over from AFL, trying to pursue his footy dream, he’s a very talented athlete and getting better every week with the gloves.
“He’s just a competitor, at training he works hard and helps out the young guys, and getting better with every game he plays.
“He’s been a really good acquisition after Bernie (Kelly) went down with his finger, so we’re really grateful to have picked him up.”
Greenvale return to the field on Tuesday for the Australia Day clash against Ringwood.
‘He just gets it done’: Dandenong’s glowing praise for young gun
Dandenong coach Tom Donnell has sung the praises of two star Panthers, including one he thinks could be making a historical start to his Premier Cricket career.
Magpies double-act sends Blues reeling
A pair of Camberwell Magpies rising stars produced performances some cricketers can only dream of in a Premier Cricket under-18s game where a Carlton opponent almost stole the show.