VSDCA 2020-21: Bayswater confident it can recover from winless start

It’s been an opening fortnight of agonisingly close finishes for Bayswater, but president Darryl Stranger is confident his club can rebound.

Bayswater batsman Tim Sugumar in action.

It’s been a tough start to season 2020-21 for Bayswater in the VSDCA South-East group, but president Darryl Stranger remains optimistic his club can bounce back.

The Waters were edged by Balwyn in Round 1, while Caulfield managed to snatch a draw with the last ball on Saturday, with the sides both posting 172.

Stranger said despite having Caulfield on the ropes for most of the day, the powerhouse club just wouldn’t be denied.

“We were probably in front of the game the whole day, we had them 5-70 then 6-100, and they just were hanging on,” Stranger said.

“We got to the last over and they needed 11 to win and 10 to tie, and they hit one boundary and the rest were twos and ones, and the last ball they got a two to tie.

“We bowled 12 wides and they only bowled five, so you look at the things you can control and that’s one thing we’ve got to get better at.”

Bayswater’s Paul Gloury drives one down the ground against Balwyn.

Despite the result, Stranger praised the Waters’ performance against a Caulfield outfit he believes is the team to beat and said the strong showing would hold his club in good stead.

“We’re right on the mark and even though we haven’t got the points, the boys have played pretty well because Caulfield are probably the probably the benchmark team in the comp I reckon,” he said.

“It gives them a lot of belief going forward that they played that well against the best team in it … as I said to (captain) John Salter Jr, if we keep playing that well we’ll start getting wins soon.”

Top-order batsman Paul Gloury again led the charge for the Waters with 61 off 92 deliveries after a knock of 38 in Round 1, while Reilly Griffiths (26 off 56) and Jack Pollard (25 off 27) also contributed.

Quinton Hodgkinson, Tim Sugumar and Ben Livingstone took two wickets apiece.

Stranger said he “couldn’t be happier” with Bayswater’s recruits in Gloury, Griffiths, Hodgkinson and Chanaka Sampath.

“The four of them who are playing in the firsts are contributing really well,” Stranger said.

“Gloury’s experience is fantastic for us and his ability and even though ‘Teddy’ (Chanaka Sampath) hasn’t impacted on the scoreboard he’s fitted in well and Quinton and Reilly who are a bit younger have been fantastic as well.”

The Waters will host Noble Park on Saturday at Bayswater Oval in Round 3.