By Tara Murray
Gladstone Park’s struggles with the bat continue in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association George Luscombe Shield.
The Burras were not up to standard in recent rounds and were again let down with the bat against ladder-leaders Kealba-Green Gully on Saturday.
The Cougars performed strongly enough with the bat, making 9-211 from their 40 overs.
Kaluwahandi Prasad took four wickets for the Burras.
The Cougars then turned the screws with the ball, bowling the Burras out for 147.
Burras’ president Wayne Mathews said it was a disappointing day.
“It turned out to be a little tough,” he said.
“It looked all right for a while and then it turned sour.
“We couldn’t get the runs. We were three down and then fell in a bit of a heap. We had a couple of run-outs which didn’t help.”
Mathews said in this match, like several others, they were getting themselves out.
“It’s been the story of the last few rounds,” he said.
“We’re trying to play big shots and giving simple catches up. We’re making it easy for other sides and they’re making the most of them.”
Mathews said the issue was mind-set and was something they were working on at training.
He said they had lost their groove slightly, when captain-coach Matthew Nyhus stood down for personal reasons.
Former captain-coach Andrew Shanahan has taken on the captaincy role, while two others have taken on the coaching role.
The form slump has meant that the Burras now need everything to go right to make finals.
Photo Gallery: Gladstone Park vs Kealba Green Gully
They currently sit fifth on the ladder, nine points outside the top four.
“We have to win our games and need other teams to lose a few games,” Mathews said.
Mathews said things were looking positive across the club as a whole.
The seconds and thirds are in the top four, while their fourths are just outside the top four.
Their under-16s sit top, while their under-12s and under-14s are competitive.
In other George Luscombe matches, the Northern Lions lost to Preston Druids.
The Druids made 8-187 with Grant Hanson finishing 84 not out.
The Lions made 162 in reply.
Pascoe Vale Central’s total of 6-241 was too much for Buckley Park, which was restricted to 9-200.
Tarneit Central was too strong for Burnside Springs United. Central had 9-236 before bowling Burnside Springs United out for 136.
In the Vic Kyte Shield, Donnybrook dominated against Greenvale Kangaroos.
Donnybrook made 9-257 before bowling the Kangaroos out for 80.
Jagmohan Singh finished with the figures 5-8 off six overs with maidens.
Sydenham-Hillside, Aberfeldie St Johns and Darebin Chargers were the other winners.
