A Western Waves team stacked with Warrnambool and District Cricket Association talent is buoyant after an under 18 state championships opening round win.
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The Jeff Rosolin-coached outfit defied tough conditions to score a 70-run victory over Metropolitan West on Monday.
Nirranda’s Brody Couch (58 runs) and Dunkeld’s Lachie Field (60) – teammates at Victorian Premier Cricket Club Geelong – starred with the bat, helping the Waves post 207.
Clever bowling ensured the Waves knocked over Metro West for 137 in reply with Charlton’s Nathaniel Holmes-Brown the only multiple wicket-taker with four.
Rosolin said he was “stoked” with the Waves’ batting display on a wet pitch which was “hard but had a layer of grass so it was greasy”.
“We lost the toss and were sent in and our two openers (Tobi Cook and Nirranda’s Damon Cooper) did really well to get through the first two bowlers,” he said.
“We lost three quick wickets which was not ideal but we had a quick chat and the boys knew their roles and Brody and Lachie weathered the storm. We had a late flurry of tipity cricket and lost a few but had wickets to burn, so the boys were happy to put the team ahead of their personal performance.”
Rosolin said the Waves had Metro West in trouble at 8-60 before late-wicket partnerships helped it to 137.
The Heytesbury Rebels cricketer said his side backed off and “learned lessons”.
“Teams bat to 10 or 11 down here,” he said.
“When they’re playing at club level they’re batting at three or four. Luckily it didn’t come back to bite us.”