VSDCA: Waters’ snap winless start with victory over Croydon

Bayswater’s first win of the VSDCA season has set the stage for an all-important clash ahead of the break, with a key bowler due to return.

Paul Gloury led the Waters’ batting with 77 on the weekend.

Bayswater has broken through for its first win of the VSDCA season, setting up a crucial clash this weekend ahead of the break.

The Waters’ 5-190 proved a bridge too far for Croydon (159) led by Robbie Cox who took 4-19 in the absence of leading bowler Nick Rickerby, alongside the batting performances of veteran Paul Gloury (77 off 112 balls), Jack Pollard (44 not-out) and Chanaka Sampath (38).

Bayswater president Darryl Stranger said despite the winless start to the season after three rounds, the club’s Round 1 draw with powerhouse Caulfield had set the standard.

“We identified during the week that this (Croydon) was a must-win, and we went back to if we play like we did against Caulfield, we’re going to beat most teams, and that’s pretty much what they did,” Stranger said.

“They consolidated when they lost wickets, and that was without Rickerby, who’s been our best bowler for the year.

“We got away to a solid start with Chanaka (Sampath) getting 38 and then we lost three quick ones.

“Because we got away nice and quick we could afford a few overs to consolidate and then Paul Gloury and Jackie Pollard put on 100 – both of them probably started slowly and we couldn’t afford to lose another wicket at that stage.”

Bayswater batsman Tim Sugumar in action.

Attention now turns to Ormond this weekend which currently sits in third position with three wins to its name.

Stranger said his club is under no illusions of the enormity of the clash as it looks to get its season back on track heading into the Christmas and New Year break.

“It’s a massive one for us – we’ve got into a position that if we win it, we’ll be around the top six,” he said.

“We know that they’ll be a strong team and if we drop off a bit, they’ll probably beat us but if we play to the level we’ll go close again I think.”

The Waters’ bowling stocks will be boosted with the return of Rickerby this weekend, whose opening three matches has been highlighted with a 3-31 performance against Caulfield in Round 1.

But Rickerby’s return is set to cause a few headaches at the selection table.

“It’s good to have selection problems which we probably haven’t had for a while, so Rickerby comes back in and then it’s up to John (captain John Salter Jr.) and ‘Flash’ (coach Shane Gordon) to work out who goes out and (the team) have certainly made it hard for them,” Stranger said.

“It’s a nice, tight team, they’re all on the same page and they’ve all got roles to play.”