Greenvale Kangaroos staying upbeat despite missing out on first win of season

A case of so close but so far for Greenvale Kangaroos as captain Justin Galeotti falls short of century and team just misses out on its first win of the Premier Cricket season.

Greenvale Kangaroos captain Justin Galeotti. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Greenvale Kangaroos are staying upbeat after coming agonisingly close to a first win of the Premier Cricket season.

The Kangaroos suffered a three-wicket loss to second-last Kingston Hawthorn at Walter Galt Reserve on Sunday, unable to defend 215.

It was a case of what if for the struggling club with captain Justin Galeotti falling short of a century, out for 98, and losing 10-105 after being 0-110.

Greenvale then had the Hawks 4-35 before a 145-run partnership between Jack Taylor (101no) and Jonathan Vincent (61) changed the game.

Kangaroos coach Sunny Fernando said it was frustrating but another learning experience.

Odil Perera and Damith Perera in action for Greenvale Kangaroos. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Yeah, it was tough, we were very close. There are no words, just frustration,” Fernando said.

“They were 4-30, then a missed opportunity (dropped catch), and that was it, they batted well after that.

“We’re still positive, we had two young spinners do a really good job and we fought hard to defend 215 on a really good batting track.

“Unfortunately, we missed an opportunity to make a big score, 250 or 270, we were 0-110 and then collapsed and all out for 215.

“We lost the first day and won the second day, that’s my opinion.”

Galeotti’s season-best 98 was supported by opening partner Conroy Burton (45) and Bernard Kelly (29) but just one other teammate reached double figures.

Young spinners Ivan Zmak (2-57) and Nirmana Fernando (2-50) showcased their potential, while spearhead Praveen Dilanka also picked up 2-44.

Dilanka leads the wicket-taking charts with 18 scalps, ranked 21st in the competition, while Galeotti’s knock sees him lead the club’s run-scoring with 325 – ranked 33rd overall.

Jordan Kosteas in action for Greenvale Kangaroos. Picture: Andy Brownbill

While the win column remains empty, the club would be pleased with the progress of youngsters such as Zmak, Jordan Kosteas and Declan Highgate.

Fernando said the struggle would serve the club will in the future.

“We’ve got a lot of new guys, never played cricket together, but the positive part is next year the guys will have spent time together, played together,” he said.

“That’s the message, our environment is really good now.

“Most of the new players had never been in a Premier Cricket environment, so they’re getting better day by day and the training standard is really high.

“I’m expecting next year for the club will be a good year for Greenvale if we can keep this group together.

“I’m very confident, when I took the job I knew it would be a tough year and we needed to be patient.

PREMIER: FACTORS THAT LED TO FRANKSTON COACH CALLING TIME

LEADER: GET YOUR PREMIER CRICKET NEWS HERE

PREMIER: SWITCH THAT’S LED TO MERLO PURPLE PATCH

“The club has been calm and knows we’re not there yet but the club is in good hands for the future.”

Greenvale finishes the season with two-day matches against Fitzroy Doncaster (eighth) and Dandenong (12th).

The club’s Second and Third XIs sit 17th, while the Fourths are 16th.

Positively, the club’s Dowling Shield side showed strong improvement, winning two games and pushing a strong Carlton team to the edge, finishing fourth in its group.