VTCA: Trent Lawford backs Yarraville Club young guns for success

Despite scoring a monster century of his own, a Yarraville Club star says the development of two young guns was the biggest win on the weekend.

Looking at the scorecard you’d probably think Trent Lawford could do no wrong on Saturday.

The Yarraville Club star plundered 151 runs from 86 balls to set a new personal best in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association but he says not everything went right.

His innings included seven boundaries and 15 sixes in the Senior Division clash against Aberfeldie at Hansen Reserve.

Lawford’s century was brought up with his 10th six of the innings and off just 59 balls.

“Sometimes you have those days where everything goes right but that didn’t happen on the weekend,” he said.

“It took getting hit a couple of times by (Aberfeldie’s Jack) Sheppard for me to get going, then I was fortunate enough I timed everything pretty well.

“I was just happy to be out there and finally playing some cricket. It was definitely the longest pre-season I have done in a long time.”

Instead of talking about his own performance, Lawford who played Big Bash Cricket for the Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers preferred to heap praise on the Clubbers’ young guns.

Heath Beveridge finished with career best figures of 5-43 to announce his arrival as one of the competition’s most promising talents as the Clubbers ran out 136-run winners.

He made his First XI debut last season.

Trent Lawford had plenty of reasons to celebrate on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

Teenage leg spinner Jackson Martin was also among the wickets with 2-19 from his six overs.

“Yarraville Club has a lot of talented kids and I love seeing them do so well,” he said.

“(Our coach) Mitch Johnstone is a big advocate for giving these young guys the opportunity to play in the First XI. The club is in a really good position with the young guns who are coming through

“Our main aim is to push them onto play the highest level of cricket they possibly can.”

Yarraville Club will next face St Albans away from home.

Strong performances across the Senior Division

St Albans made it two wins from two to start its season after securing a five-wicket win over Druids after chasing down its target of 131.

Middle order batsman Geeth Alwis produced the match winning knock with 60 runs from 70 deliveries.

Deer Park scored its first win of the season after comfortably overcoming Craigieburn by five wickets.

The reigning Division 1 premiers bounced back from the controversial loss to St Albans in the opening round to secure the victory.

Hashan Wanasekara top scored with 62.

Haig Fawkner continued its perfect start to its premiership defence with a five-wicket win over Sunshine United.

Opener Shakeel Ahmad was pivotal with a 53-run performance.

Westmeadows came out on top in a thriller against Keilor with both openers batting right through the innings.

Captain-coach Donovan Pell finished unbeaten on 112 while Clayton Campbell scored 68.

Pathum De Mel led the way with the ball taking 3-25 following on from his 3-18 in Round 1.