VSDCA: Balwyn claims narrow win over Bayswater

It went right down to the wire at Bayswater Oval on Saturday, with Balwyn edging Bayswater in a thriller led by a premiership star and a debutant.

Balwyn players celebrate the fall of a wicket.

Balwyn coach Clinton Kennon has praised his side’s resolve in its thrilling opening-round win over Bayswater, led by the batting performances of Guy Looker and debutant Tom Audley.

The Waters needed 16 runs off the last over for victory in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association clash but fell two short at Bayswater Oval.

The Tigers recovered from an early collapse after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Luca Gambell and Vihaan Narayana, who both made two, were removed cheaply by Bayswater recruit Quinton Hodgkinson before Aditya Narayana and Christian Toppi were dismissed for ducks to leave Balwyn 4-10.

But captain Lachie Fitzpatrick (35), Looker (47) and 16-year-old Audley (41) steadied the Tigers to lift them to a total of 168.

Balwyn captain Lachie Fitzpatrick on Saturday.

“They carried on from a good hit-out against Kew in the practice game,” Kennon said.

“I think the Balwyn of old probably would have collapsed for all-out 80 and I think over the last two years we’ve made sure that we get some depth and we fight it out ‘til the end.

“A game of cricket goes for a long time and in these one-dayers Fitzy and I have a strong emphasis on 240 deliveries – obviously being 4-10 it was still only eight overs in, so there was still 200 balls to go and that mentality is starting to flow through to these young guys.”

Kennon praised the efforts of his bowling attack in claiming “the two big wickets” of Bayswater’s Tim Sugumar as he reached 53 and boom recruit Paul Gloury, who finished with 38 after being bowled by Dom Greene. Harry Dixon led the way with four wickets and Fitzpatrick grabbed three.

Bayswater batsman Tim Sugumar.

“Harry Dixon took the big wicket of Sugumar just when he was about to get going and held him up from there. Fitzy bowled well in the middle as well,” he said.

“Once we got that wicket of Sugumar, I think the boys knew they were on top.”

Balwyn suffered several close losses last season and Kennon said he was pleased his team was able to withstand a narrow finish.

“They did really well, they took 20 off the last over too, which coming back to it now is massive to winning the game,” he said.

“We were really happy to win one of those close ones, winning those early goes a long way.”