Wallington coach Matthew Sampson-Barnes believes his side is well placed to compete at the pointy end of the BPCA A2 Grade season.
The Wallabies are unbeaten from three starts so far and put Surf Coast away in ruthless fashion on Saturday.
“It is exciting, we’ve actually got a really good side (and) I guess the key is just keeping everybody available,” Sampson-Barnes said.
“I think we’ve only got two unavailabilities for the rest of the year, which is good, so hopefully they all stay fit.”
Wallington takes on Portarlington during the next two Saturdays with the 75-over format beginning. The Wallabies have already beaten Port once this season in round 2.
“They’re a really good side,” Sampson-Barnes said.
“Young Riley Illingworth seems to have gone away over the winter and practised hitting the ball a bit harder and they’re looking pretty good. It is a good contest between us two. We always play really tight games so I’m looking forward to it.”
It has been two years of hell for Sampson-Barnes with a flesh-eating bacteria not only requiring 39 surgeries, but also causing him to miss playing the sport he loves.
“I’ve still got a pretty big wound that isn’t healing,” he said.
“I didn’t play last week because I was actually in hospital for a week. I’m probably just going to bat down the order. Be there as captain just to give the leg a bit of time. I can’t sit and watch anymore. It’s been two years.”
Nick Adamson (30 off 43 balls) and Henry McIntosh (37 off 27) got the side off to a flyer. The Wallabies made 8/215 batting first against Surf Coast.
“That’s sort of what their job is in the one-day games,” Sampson-Barnes said.
“We’ve got lots of depth so why not try and go out and smack it from ball one.”
Sven Burluraux top scored for Wallington with a well-made 65 not out from 79 deliveries. Burluraux added 57 for the fifth wicket with Dane Wise-Graham (27).
“They put on a pretty important partnership because Surf Coast got a bit of a roll-on there,” Sampson-Barnes said.
“I think we lost three wickets in ten balls or something like that so they’ve put on a game-altering partnership. I was happy for Sven because he should have been there and thereabouts the first few weeks and then just found a way to go out.”
Wallington then bowled the Stingrays out for 75 with all the bowlers finding rhythm.
BRIAN White made 97 in a losing side for St Leonard’s against Winchelsea. The Saints made 9/166, but Winch won with five wickets and 21 balls to spare thanks to an unbeaten 48 from Shane Murdoch.
STEPHEN Illingworth continued his fine season to date for Portarlington with a sparkling 78 not out in his side’s seven-wicket win against Newcomb. Bulls’ coach Shane Healy played superbly for 83 and his team showed signs of vast improvement.
INVERLEIGH thrashed Collendina by six wickets with a trio of wickets each to Locke Perrett and Kieran McNally. Collendina was 0/51 batting first, but slumped to 92 all out. Will Collins made an important 34 not out as Winch got the runs four down in the 28th over.
