By David Nagel
CARLISLE PARK v CLYDE
Clyde (6/210) has an early-season position inside the WGCA Premier Division top four after a superb batting performance secured the Cougars a 52-run victory over Carlisle Park (158) on Saturday.
After being sent in by Vikings’ skipper Dave Nutting, the Cougars fine-tuned their performance to exactly double their score (105) against Tooradin last week.
All seven batters that took to the crease on the weekend made double figures – a great sign for the Cougars with batting depth proving to be one of the biggest makers or breakers in the early part of the season.
The Cougars full array of talent was on show, with Jason Hameeteman (71) overcoming the disappointment of an early run-out last week to dictate terms from the top of the order.
Hameeteman showed his class in two hours of high-quality batting, with his 71 coming from 91 balls and including six fours and one towering six.
“He was keen to do well against his old team and make amends for the first round,” said Clyde captain Matt Aslett, who was delighted with his team’s performance and its ability to build partnerships.
“I was very pleased; to bounce back from round one was really good to see from a team point of view.
“And something we’ve been talking about in the pre-season is partnerships, trying to build consistent partnerships and our first two were over 50 on the weekend which was great.
“Everyone did a job, which is what we are aiming to do as a team.”
Hameeteman shared a 68-run opening partnership with Owen Marquis (19) – and then refocussed quickly to play the lead role in a 59-run stand with Joel Avard (17).
Suchin Mudiyanselage (10), Brett Reid (18) and Luke Rogers (10) also struck some blows, but it’s the form of Kane Avard (32 not out) that helped ticked the Cougars past the 200-run barrier.
Avard – of the Kane variety – scored 32 not out in that poor performance against Tooradin last week and look set to play a really important role in the middle order for the Cougars this season.
“We’ve spoken heaps about him being the rock in the middle order, whether that be early or late, and he’s really taken that responsibility on board,” Aslett said.
“He’s really keen to have a big year which is great to see.”
A 44-run partnership – between Avard and Reid – capped off the fine early work of Hameeteman to give the Cougars the upper hand at the changeover.
The Vikings lost Nutting (5) early in their run-chase but Praveen Perera (42) and Ravi Kodithuwakku (33) steadied the ship with a 41-run stand before Anurudda Fonseka (18) and Perera had the home side well positioned at 2/103.
But the Vikings fell off the pace in a hurry, losing their last eight wickets for 55 runs.
“We tried to play boring cricket, dot them up, and the five overs after drinks were really important,” Aslett said.
“We applied pressure and they started playing shots they weren’t playing earlier.”
Aslett (3/23 off 6) led the way for the Cougars, while left-armer Liam Bennett (3/31 off 8) also bowled beautifully to rip his way through the middle order.
Rogers (2/15 off 5) and Mudiyanselage (1/16) claimed crucial wickets as well as the Cougars rolled the Vikings in the 36th over, sparking a great feeling at the club.
“There was excitement in the rooms after the game,” Aslett said.
“It’s only the second time we’ve made over 200 in my time at the club – four years – and we took 10 wickets. We’ve felt like we’ve had a good bowling attack but getting the wickets has been hard.
“That was how we want to play our cricket, what we did on the weekend.”
The Cougars now take on Cranbourne Meadows in a huge game for both clubs.
“It’s a huge opportunity against a team we’ve had some tight games against in the past,” the skipper said.
“It was one-and-one last year, but I’m really keen and confident that we can come out and play similar to the weekend.”
Carlisle Park heads to Cardinia in a tough round-four assignment.
