VTCA: Sydenham-Hillside overcome St Francis De Sales in first game

After a stunning upset in its opening game of the VTCA season, Sydenham-Hillside says the best is yet to come. Here’s what they want to improve.

It might have been the perfect result but Sydenham-Hillside insists the best is still to come.

The Storm stunned St Francis De Sales to start its Victorian Turf Cricket Association Division 1 season in the best possible fashion after premiership success last campaign.

Despite coming into the game as underdogs, Sydenham-Hillside wasn’t overawed by the occasion despite a slow start according to coach Geoff Pretty.

“They got off to a bit of a flyer with their first 30 runs but we were able to reel them back in,” he said.

“It was certainly a good test first up after the fixture change for us. Every team, every week is going to be a challenge for us because we don’t know too much about our opposition and it goes the other way.

“Planning sort of goes out the window at times. We’re relying on our experienced guys to read situations in a game and guide us through those at the moment.

“We’re learning as we go.”

After being sent into bat, St Francis De Sales posted 8-176 from its 40 overs led by Blake McKinnon’s 51 runs from 46 balls.

Alex Balas and Gayashan Weerasekera finished with two wickets apiece.

In response, Ishan Peiris led the charge with 74 runs at the top of the order for Sydenham Hillside to guide his side across the line.

Unfortunately, debutant Anthony Alleyne was run out for a duck — three run outs among the top six.

“Three run outs in your top six is something you don’t see that often,” Pretty said.

“It’s just the little things we need to work on in the coming weeks. Ish has been with the club a couple of years and puts in a lot of effort.

“It was pleasing to see him get some runs.”

In other games, West Coburg won a final over thriller against Seddon by two wickets as Mohamed Feshal’s 48-run performance led his side across the line.

PEGS proved too good for Altona North after winning by 58 runs.

Carlos Maynard scored the competition’s only century of the weekend with 125 runs from 119 balls as Nathan Patrick took 7-49 in his return game for North.

Sunshine scored a comfortable five-wicket win over Airport West St Christophers behind Kaushal Lokuarachchi’s 63-run performance.

He also took 4-24 with the ball.

Doutta Stars were far good too for Tullamarine winning by 156 runs.